Building peace and prosperity with strong BRICS

News: Recently, the BRICS Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement at a virtual meeting. And the first dialogue of Foreign Ministers between BRICS and emerging markets and developing countries was held.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting indicated that BRICS countries will strengthen solidarity and cooperation in the face of challenges with firm conviction, and take real actions to promote peace and development, and uphold fairness and justice.

What the BRICS countries should aim for in the future?

Universal security: BRICS countries should be builders of universal security. Cold-war mentality and bloc confrontation pose grave threats to world peace and security. Seeking one’s own security at the expense of others’ will only create new tensions and risks. It is important a) to respect and guarantee the security of every country, b) replace confrontation and alliance with dialogue and partnership, and c) promote the building of a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture.

Strengthen mutual trust: BRICS countries need to strengthen political mutual trust and security cooperation, maintain communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, respect each other’s sovereignty, security and development interests, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and work together to build a global community of security for all.

BRICS countries should enhance mutually-beneficial cooperation in supply chains, energy, food and financial resilience, foster an open world economy and create a favourable environment for common development.

Cooperation in health: BRICS countries should be pioneers of cooperation in COVID-19 pandemic management. India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ also contributes to multilateral cooperation on public health. BRICS countries should fully leverage their respective strengths, and jointly promote the development of global health governance in a direction in favour of developing countries. Following measures need to be taken: a) BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Center should be put to good use, b) establish a BRICS early warning mechanism for preventing large-scale infectious diseases, and c) provide high-quality public goods for global health governance cooperation.

Leadership in global governance: BRICS countries should be leaders of global governance. Global challenges can be resolved by coordinating global actions. BRICS countries should firmly embrace a global governance philosophy centered around extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, enhanced unity and cooperation with emerging markets and developing countries.

BRICS plus cooperation model: All parties to the Foreign Ministers dialogue support and advocate the ‘BRICS plus’ cooperation model, which is a platform born for cooperation and thrives on development. ‘BRICS plus’ cooperation need to be explored at more levels, in more areas and in a wider scope.

Source: This post is based on the article “Building peace and prosperity with strong BRICS” published in The Hindu on 30th May 22.