BRICS Foreign Ministers Emphasize Red Sea Security At New Delhi Meeting | The Reporter Ethiopia

Members expressed differing views over Middle East crisis

BRICS ministers have emphasized that the navigational rights and freedoms of vessels in the Red sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait are crucial for all states. Surprisingly, the bloc chair did not mention the Strait of Hormuz in the statement it issued following the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India, this week

The top diplomats of BRICS member countries, including Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos (PhD), attended the two-day meeting in the Indian capital, where they commemorated BRICS’ 20th year and assessed its achievements and plans.

Among the key issues on the agenda was maritime trade and security.

“The Ministers stressed the importance of ensuring the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms of vessels of all states in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait, in accordance with international law. They encouraged enhanced diplomatic efforts by all parties to that end, including by addressing the causes of the conflict, and continued support for dialogue and Yemen’s peace process under UN auspices. They further underscored the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen including food security and access to basic services,” reads a statement issued by Indian External Affairs Minister and BRICS Chair, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The document indicates that at least one member had reservations about the stance on the Red Sea, but does not specify which member.

The current polarization in global politics was also a major talking point, with the ministers calling on the international community to respond to these challenges and associated security threats through politico-diplomatic measures, and stressed the need to engage in conflict prevention efforts.

They also renewed calls for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries.

China and Russia, the only BRICS countries with permanent seats on the UN Security Council, reiterated their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, according to the statement.

The calls for reform also extended to the Bretton Woods Institutions, with BRICS countries calling for changes in governance to reflect transformation of the global economy since their establishment. The bloc wants to see emerging markets and developing economies better represented within the leadership of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group.

The ministers underscored the importance of the efforts to facilitate fast, low-cost, more accessible, efficient, transparent, and safe cross-border payments among BRICS countries and other nations which can support greater trade and investment flows, according to the statement.

The continuation of discussions surrounding a proposed cross-border payment framework for BRICS members was highlighted as a key point.

The meeting also addressed recent developments in the Middle East. While members had different views regarding the situation, they unanimously urged the need for an early, diplomatic resolution of the current crisis, called for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and highlighted the importance of safe maritime commerce.

However, reports indicate BRICS members were unable to reach a consensus on certain aspects of the Middle East crisis.

The ministers reaffirmed that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return, according to the statement.

“They reaffirmed their support for the State of Palestine’s full membership in the UN in the context of the unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, in accordance with international law, including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, that includes the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognized 1967 borders, which included the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to achieve the vision of two States living side by side, in peace and security,” reads the chair’s statement.

On his part, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos underscored the importance of resorting to peaceful and diplomatic solutions to address regional and global peace and security challenges. He expounded on the significance Ethiopia attaches to its BRICS membership and outlined its commitment to an equitable, effective, and efficient multilateral system. He also commended the founding members for their foresight and vision in establishing this partnership and their consistent commitment to making BRICS more inclusive amid the prevailing global challenges and crises.

The meeting underscored the importance of displaying steadfast commitment to the long-held agenda of reforming and improving global governance so that it accommodates the contemporary realities and priorities of developing countries of the Global South.

Gedion highlighted that, amid the prevailing turbulence faced by the international multilateral system, it is critical to balance and exercise caution when prioritizing change and continuity.