The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) met this Sunday (23) with Cyril Ramaphosapresident of South Africa, and with Narendra ModiPrime Minister of India, in Johannesburg, South Africa, to hold the first meeting of IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa Dialogue Forum) since 2011. In his speech at the meeting, the head of the Executive defended a union of the global South.
“I believe that if IBSA insists on duplicating the BRICS agendas, we will follow in its shadow. The status of great emerging countries in the Global South and great democracies gives IBSA its own identity and capabilities. India, Brazil and South Africa have the vocation of reconciling the values of sovereignty and autonomy with the search for development and the defense of democracy and human rights. This ability, which is lacking in today’s world, is the hallmark of IBSA and our greatest contribution to the international order”, said.
In his speech, Lula also defended the debate on access to medicines and vaccines, human rights, gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights among IBSA member countries, in addition to mentioning the “combat against extremism and the defense of democracy”.
“Our countries are key to building a fair, democratic and functional system of governance and access to data. We are able to be at the forefront of global Artificial Intelligence governance. IBSA’s vocation for South-South cooperation also remains alive“, he added.
Finally, Lula also said that it is “fundamental that a group like IBSA meets regularly at a high level” and that the group’s achievements are reflected in the UN, the G20 and the BRICS.
“I think we left this meeting with a homework assignment: to start a deep reflection on future paths for IBSA, with a view to our next summit.”
G20 Leaders Summit
Lula’s meeting with Modi and Ramaphosa took place amid the G20 Leaders’ Summit, taking place in Johannesburg. The bloc brings together the 19 largest economies in the world, the European Union and the African Union.
However, this year, the G20 Summit featured an unprecedented feat: the absence of the United States at the bloc’s meeting, even raising doubts about the future of the group, which takes all decisions by consensus.
Even with the boycott of US President Donald Trump,
Lula defended the approval of the text and positions similar to those of South Africa and other large developing countries.
In his opening speech at the event, Mas criticized protectionism and multilateralism.
He also defended that the bloc works to resolve conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza and said that inequality should be declared a global emergency.
