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TSHWANE IBSA Summit Declaration
(Tshwane, South Africa; October 17, 2007)
1. The Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr Manmohan Singh,
the President of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the
President of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki (thereafter referred as
“the leaders”) met in Tshwane, South Africa, on 17 October 2007, for the
2nd Summit of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum.
2. The leaders recognised that since its inception in 2003, the IBSA
Dialogue Forum provided a strong framework for trilateral cooperation in
several key sectoral areas amongst IBSA partners. They noted that IBSA
also provides them an important instrument for cooperation on regional and
international issues and promoting the interests of the developing
countries, thus contributing to the strengthening and deepening of
South-South cooperation.
3. The leaders adopted the outcome of the 4th Ministerial Commission held
in New Delhi on 17 July 2007.
4. The leaders recommitted themselves to vigorously pursue the deepening
of South-South cooperation for sustainable development. They reaffirmed
their shared commitment to the eradication of poverty through sustained
and inclusive economic growth. They highlighted the importance of
implementing the principles adopted in the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 and
the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, particularly the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities and emphasized that capacity and institution building is
a key to global sustainable development.
5. The leaders acknowledged with appreciation the continued participation
by academia and business leaders. The leaders are satisfied that the
participation by civil society contributed to the enhancing the visibility
of IBSA. They also applauded the commitment by the peoples of the three
countries to participate at the Music and Dance Festival in Brazil later
in October 2007.
6. The leaders welcomed and applauded the coming
together of parliamentarians from India, Brazil and South Africa and the
fruitful talks they had as an important contribution to people to people
relations and strengthening of the IBSA Dialogue.
7. The leaders welcomed and fully supported the launch of the Women’s
Forum which strengthens participation of women in IBSA and recognised the
fundamental contribution of women in the social, cultural and economic
development of India, Brazil and South Africa. They reaffirmed their
commitment to the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights.
8. The leaders reiterated the importance of strengthening the global
governance system as it forms a critical ingredient for promoting peace,
security and sustainable socio-economic development. They reaffirmed their
abiding commitment and faith in multilaterism, with the United Nations
playing the pre-eminent role. They reiterated that the international
system cannot be reordered meaningfully without a comprehensive reform of
the United Nations. The leaders emphasized that the reform of the Security
Council is central to this process to ensure that the UN system reflects
contemporary realities. They expressed their full support for a genuine
reform and expansion of the Security Council, in permanent and non
permanent categories of membership, with greater representation for
developing countries in both. They reiterated that inter-governmental
negotiations on the issue of Security Council reform must commence
forthwith. They agreed to further strengthen cooperation amongst their
countries and with other member states interested in a genuine reform of
the Security Council. They also reaffirmed the need for concerted efforts
by member states towards revitalisation of the General Assembly.
9. The leaders emphasised their commitment to the goal
of the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and expressed concern over
the lack of progress in the realisation of this goal. They emphasised that
nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation are mutually reinforcing
processes requiring continuous, irreversible progress on both fronts, and
reaffirmed, in this regard, that the objective of non-proliferation would
be best served by the systematic and progressive elimination of nuclear
weapons in a comprehensive, universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable
manner. They further emphasized the necessity to start negotiations on a
phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons with a
specified framework of time to eliminate nuclear weapons, to prohibit
their development, production, acquisition, testing, stockpiling,
transfer, use or threat of use, and to provide for their destruction.
10. The leaders strongly emphasized the need for ensuring the supply of
safe, sustainable and non-polluting sources of energy to meet the rising
global demand for energy, particularly in developing countries. In this
context, they agreed to explore approaches to cooperation in the peaceful
uses of nuclear energy under appropriate International Atomic Energy
Association (IAEA) safeguards. They further agreed that international
civilian nuclear cooperation, under appropriate IAEA safeguards, amongst
countries committed to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
objectives, could be enhanced through acceptable forward-looking
approaches, consistent with their respective national and international
obligations. They also reiterated the importance of ensuring that any
multilateral decisions related to the nuclear fuel cycle do not undermine
the inalienable right of States to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes in conformity with their international legal obligations.
11. The leaders called for the international community
to work together on Climate Change under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change in accordance with the principle of common
but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. They
urged all developed countries to take more ambitious and quantifiable GHG
emission reduction targets in the post 2012 period under the Kyoto
Protocol. Moreover they stressed the imperative of addressing
unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. This would also spur
the Carbon market and significantly enhance the Clean Development
Mechanism’s contribution to sustainable development, financial flows and
transfer of clean technologies to developing countries. They urged that
significant progress is needed in Bali in December 2007.
12. The leaders stressed the disproportionately high impact of Climate
Change on developing countries with their greater vulnerability,
inadequate means and limited capacities to adapt to its effects. They
emphasised the importance for adequate, new and additional financing for
the adaptation efforts of developing countries without diverting resources
for development. There should be no foreclosure of opportunities for
developing countries to secure the technological and financial resources
required for adaptation through development.
13. The leaders urged an agreement on innovative
modalities for the development, transfer and commercialization of
technologies, including clean coal technologies, at affordable costs to
developing countries noting that rewards for innovators need to be
balanced with common good for humankind. They also urged the international
community to work in a collaborative manner for the development and
deployment of renewables, biofuels and biomass, and advanced clean
technologies. In this connection they welcomed the work done by the
International Forum on Biofuels and underlined the importance of the
International Conference on Biofuels, to be held in 2008.
14. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion and
protection of human rights for all. They expressed their commitment
towards developing the institutional framework of the Human Rights
Council, including the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism, based on
effective international cooperation. They reaffirmed their determination
to work towards the operationalisation of the right to development.
15. The leaders reaffirmed that terrorism constitutes one of the most
serious threats to international peace and security. They strongly
condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by
whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose. They stressed that there can
be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism. They
emphasized the need for concerted and cooperative action by the
international community to realize the objectives of eradicating terrorism
in all its forms and manifestations. In this regard, they called for the
early adoption of a Comprehensive Convention against International
Terrorism. They emphasized that international cooperation in combating
terrorism should be conducted in conformity with the principles of the UN
Charter, relevant UN Resolutions and International Conventions, and Human
Rights.
16. The leaders noted the progress being made on the
African continent towards the achievement of peace, security, stability
and development. They reaffirmed their determination to support these
efforts while noting the inextricable link between peace and security on
the one hand, and development on the other. They commended the efforts of
the African Union and noted the ongoing work to strengthen its structures.
17. The leaders reiterated their firm belief in the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD) a key framework for socio-economic
development in Africa. They acknowledged that the Pan-African
Infrastructure Development Fund will, as it evolves, help accelerate
Africa’s growth and development to meet the objectives as set out in the
NEPAD. In this regard, the IBSA partners agreed to associate with the
development of the fund in accordance with their respective rules and
regulations.
18. The leaders called upon all parties in the Sudan to recommit
themselves to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
(CPA) to its spirit and letter, as it is the viable option to the
resolution of the conflict in the Sudan. They urged all parties involved
in the conflict in Darfur to participate in the forthcoming Darfur peace
talks in Libya. In the same vein they expressed their concern at the
increasing violence in Darfur, and in this respect, call on all the
parties in Darfur to exercise restraint. They call upon the international
community to provide financial and material support for the deployment of
the UN-AU Hybrid Force and the alleviation of the humanitarian situation
in Darfur.
19. The leaders reflected on the situation in Zimbabwe
and took note of the positive progress of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) initiative to promote a negotiated political solution in
Zimbabwe between the Government of Zimbabwe and the opposition party,
under the facilitation of President Thabo Mbeki. They reiterated the need
for the international community to continue its support for the people of
Zimbabwe in order to overcome the challenges they are facing.
20. The leaders reaffirmed their long-term commitment for a democratic,
prosperous and stable Afghanistan. They reiterated that a coherent and
united international effort, in its military, political and developmental
aspects, to assist the Government of Afghanistan remained vital. They
underlined their centrality of the regional aspect in the reconstruction
and development process. They strongly condemned the continued terrorist
attacks by the Taliban on aid –workers, civilians, Afghan and
international forces. The agreed that the international community needed
to act resolutely and with determination, in coordination with the
Government of Afghanistan, in facing the challenge of the resurgence of
the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
21. The leaders reflected upon the Middle East Peace
Process, and looked forward to progress towards goals of the Arab and all
other major ongoing peace initiatives, including elements of the Roadmap,
by means of intensified and meaningful dialogue among Israel, Palestine
and other countries resulting in the establishment of an independent,
sovereign, viable and united state of Palestine, living side by side at
peace with Israel, within recognized and well-defined borders.
22. The leaders, in recognition of the many commonalities in the three
countries in the socio-economic areas, welcomed the preparation of an
integrated IBSA Social Development Strategy which will build on the best
practices of the three countries for serving as a blue print for
South-South Cooperation.
23. The leaders noted that WTO Doha Round of trade negotiations is
entering a critical stage. These negotiations are now in a genuine
multilateral process, with draft modalities texts for agriculture and
industrial goods that provide a good basis for negotiations. They
reaffirmed their commitment to carry out negotiations towards an outcome
that is fair and acceptable to all.
24. The leaders reiterated the importance of the development dimension of
the Round and welcomed the strengthened engagement, solidarity, and
cooperation among developing countries in that process.
25. The leaders underlined that agriculture remains the
key to the conclusion of the Round. To truly deliver on the development
benefits of the Round, they called for the removal of long-standing
distortions and restrictions in international agricultural trade, such as
subsidies and trade barriers that affect the agricultural exports of and
domestic production in developing countries. They also asserted that
developed countries must agree to substantial and effective cuts in the
latter’s trade distorting support, with new disciplines that prevent box
shifting and commit to real and new trade flows in agriculture. They
underscored that meaningful and operable special and differential
treatment, which includes development instruments of Special Products and
the Special Safeguard Mechanism are vital to address the concerns of
developing countries with subsistence and low-income farmers.
26. The leaders emphasized that any progress towards achieving the above
goals is a development imperative and should not be linked with meeting
the disproportionate demands by developed countries in the NAMA and
services negotiations.
27. The leaders asserted that developing countries have been constructive
and willing to negotiate in all areas. They urged others to act with the
same disposition.
28. The leaders recalled their commitment to making a contribution to
market opening in the Doha Round in agriculture, NAMA, and services that
will create new trade flows. They also committed to ensure that the
process of the negotiations is not held hostage to “who goes first”. They
reaffirmed their conviction that all members must “move together” to
arrive at a balanced and fair outcome of the negotiations.
29. The leaders stated that through constant dialogue,
reciprocal flexibility, non-dogmatic approach and good faith efforts, full
modalities in the agriculture and industrial goods negotiations could be
achieved before the year-end, together with equivalent results in other
areas. They reaffirmed their commitment to achieving such a positive
outcome within this framework.
30. The leaders underscored the importance of incorporating the
development dimension in international discussions concerning intellectual
property. They reaffirmed that intellectual property is not an end in
itself, but one of the instruments to encourage innovation for
technological, industrial and economic and social development. They also
recalled that it is fundamental to preserve policy spaces necessary for
ensuring access to knowledge, promoting public goals in the fields of
health and culture, and a sustainable environment. In this context, they
welcomed the adoption of 45 recommendations of concrete actions regarding
the “Development Agenda” by this year’s WIPO General Assembly, as well as
the establishment of the WIPO Permanent Committee on Development and
Intellectual Property.
31. The leaders reaffirmed the need to reach a solution
for the problem raised by the granting of intellectual property rights on
biological resources and/or associated traditional knowledge, without due
compliance with relevant provisions of the Convention on Biological
Diversity, such as the granting of erroneous patents or the registration
of undue trademarks. In this regard, they recalled the presentation in the
WTO of the proposal co-sponsored, among others, by the three IBSA
countries to amend the TRIPS Agreement by introducing a mandatory
requirement for the disclosure of origin, prior informed consent, and also
fair and equitable benefit sharing of biological resources and/or
associated traditional knowledge used in inventions for which applications
for intellectual property rights are filed.
32. The leaders welcomed the ongoing discussion in the Inter-Governmental
Working Group (IGWG) on Intellectual Property and Public Health of the
World Health Organization. They stated the important role of WHO in the
discussion of the impacts of intellectual property protection on public
health and on the access to medicines.
33. The leaders agreed to work towards a trilateral initiative on
cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) concerning
capacity building activities, human resource development and public
awareness programmes.
34. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the
envisaged India-MERCOSUR-SACU Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (T-FTA), and
welcomed the initial meeting amongst the representatives of SACU, MERCOSUR
and India on a possible T-FTA during the exploratory discussions held in
Pretoria on the 6th October 2007. They also noted with satisfaction that
all sides agreed to continue discussions on the trilateral trade
arrangement. They urged the need for sustained efforts to realize early an
India-MERCOSUR-SACU FTA. In this regard, the leaders supported the
proposal to hold a Trilateral Ministerial meeting in 2008. They also
welcomed the significant progress made in MERCOSUR-SACU negotiations in
Pretoria, on the 8-9 October 2007, as well as the launching of the SACU-India
negotiations in the meeting held in Pretoria on 5 - 6 October 2007.
MERCOSUR-SACU, MERCOSUR-India and India-SACU negotiations laid the basis
for achieving the goal of a T-FTA.
35. The leaders expressed the importance of regular interaction among
businesspersons of the three countries, with Government authorities
playing a facilitating role in the process, for sharply enhancing the
momentum of trade and investment with a view to fully utilising the large
and growing opportunities in their markets. For the continued expansion of
trade, investment and economic ties, the leaders encouraged the
implementation of further initiatives amongst IBSA countries on standards,
customs procedures, intellectual property rights, small and medium
enterprise development, business-to-business linkages and participation in
trade exhibitions.
36. The leaders underlined the need to provide a
greater voice for and participation by developing countries in the Bretton
Woods Institutions and expressed concern at the slow rate of progress that
has been achieved so far. They acknowledged the role of the G20 as a key
forum on global economic development and governance, and looked forward to
its contribution to accelerating governance reforms in the Bretton Woods
Institutions.
37. The leaders expressed their concern that many developing countries are
still far from achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They
expressed their determination to mobilize support in this regard, with the
specific objective to intensify common efforts towards achieving the MDGs
and other internationally agreed development goals embodied in the
Monterrey Consensus. They particularly stressed the need to address the
problem of developing countries debt, increase the Official Development
Assistance (ODA) flows and reduce the inequalities in the international
trading system. They committed to close cooperation amongst IBSA partner
countries while preparing for the “Financing for Development” Review
conference that will take place in Doha, Qatar, in the second half of
2008. In this regard, they emphasized the importance of enhancing
international efforts to develop innovative financial mechanisms to fight
poverty and hunger.
38. The leaders reiterated the importance and uniqueness of the IBSA Fund
Facility for South-South Cooperation for the benefit of other developing
countries. They noted with satisfaction the South-South Partnership Award
received by the Fund from the UN. They also agreed for a more effective
mechanism for the utilization of the Fund.
39. The leaders underscored the importance of vibrant sectoral cooperation
for providing a firm foundation of the IBSA Forum.
40. The leaders stressed the need for improved air and maritime
connectivity among IBSA countries for expanding trade, investment and
tourism. In this regard, they encouraged the concerned authorities to work
towards achieving this important goal on a priority basis. They expressed
the hope that by the time of the Third Summit in India, effective and
innovative solutions would have been put in place to mitigate this
problem.
41. The leaders called for the establishment of joint projects and
collaboration for the increased usage of alternative sources of energy
such as biofuels, synthetic fuels, wind and solar energy to help achieve
the objective of energy security which can bring significant reduction in
GHG emissions.
42. The leaders expressed the need to promote and enhance cooperation
among the IBSA partners in the ICT infrastructure development, including
for the Soccer World Cup being hosted by South Africa and the Commonwealth
Games by India in 2010,
43. The leaders welcomed the progress made in the sector of Education with
the identification of areas of cooperation. In pursuance of this, they
encouraged holding of workshops and seminars, exchange of information, and
joint projects. They also welcomed avenues of cooperation among the
diplomatic institutes of IBSA countries.
44. The leaders also called for an early implementation of the Action Plan
in the sector of Health and called upon the IBSA Health Ministers to meet
within the next three months. Cooperation in this area is of particular
importance and needs to be energized.
45. The leaders appreciated the initiative being taken with regard to
formulation of joint projects in the sector of Agriculture and expressed
the need for their expeditious implementation, for the purpose of
inclusive growth and benefits to farmers. They further expressed the need
to explore cooperation in the field of food processing.
46. The leaders stressed the need to explore avenues of cooperation in the
sector of defence for the common benefit of the three countries.
47. While underlining the importance of cooperation in the S&T sector,
they emphasized the need for immediate action to start implementation of
joint research projects. They welcomed the creation of a seed fund of US$
1 million in each country for collaborative activities.
48. The leaders welcomed the signing of MoUs and Agreements on cooperation
in areas of Wind Resources, Health and Medicines, Culture, Social Issues,
Public Administration, Higher Education and on Customs and Tax
Administration Cooperation, which will help further deepen trilateral
cooperation among IBSA partners.
49. The leaders supported the establishment of two additional Working
Groups on “Human Settlement Development” and “Environment and Climate
Change” to further enhance the scope of trilateral sectoral cooperation.
50. The leaders called for an intra-IBSA trade target of US$ 15 billion by
2010 and urged business and industry to be even more ambitious and exceed
this target.
51. South Africa and Brazil welcomed the offer by India to host the 3rd
IBSA Summit in 2008.
52. The President of Brazil and the Prime Minister of India expressed
their deep gratitude to the President and the people of South Africa for
successfully convening the 2nd IBSA Summit which represented a new
milestone in the progressive development of IBSA.
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