Kazan Declaration: From Gaza, Ukraine Conflicts To Reforms In Multilateralism, BRICS Members Highlight Pressing Issues

Kazan Declaration: The 16th BRICS Summit in Russia concluded on Wednesday with the adoption of the Kazan declaration by the member nations of the multilateral grouping. The summit, held under the chairmanship of Russia, witnessed attendance by longtime BRICS members, including India, China, South Africa, as well as the member states that joined the bloc last year.

Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President, leaders of UAE, Ethiopia, Iran and Egypt also attended the summit. Brazil, one of the original members of the intergovernmental organisation, was represented by its Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had to cancel his trip in the wake of an accident.

Through the Kazan declaration, spanning 134 points and 43 pages, the member nations reaffirmed their 'commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus'.

The document called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli forces and Hamas militants are locked in a bloody war, and also sought the unconditional release of "hostages and detainees from both sides". The Kazan declaration also condemned the alleged Israeli airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria that killed officers belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), among others. 

BRICS SUMMIT: FEW POINTS FROM KAZAN DECLARATION

ON THE MIDDLE EAST

"We condemn the attack against the diplomatic premises of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Syrian capital Damascus by Israel on 1 April 2024 that constitutes a violation of the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations."

"We reiterate our grave concern at the deterioration of the situation and humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in particular the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and in West Bank as a result of the Israeli military offensive, which led to mass killing and injury of civilians, forced displacement and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure."

"We stress the urgent need for an immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees from both sides who are being illegally held captive and the unhindered sustainable and at scale supply of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and cessation of all aggressive actions."

"We denounce the Israeli attacks against humanitarian operations, facilities, personnel and distribution points."

"We express alarm over the situation in Southern Lebanon. We condemn the loss of civilian lives and the immense damage to civilian infrastructure resulting from attacks by Israel in residential areas in Lebanon and call for immediate cessation of military acts."

ON UKRAINE

"We emphasize that all states should act consistently with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation. We note with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices, aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy."

ON UNITED NATIONS

"Bearing in mind the need to adapt the current architecture of international relations to better reflect the contemporary realities, we reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism and upholding the international law, including the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN) as its indispensable cornerstone, and the central role of the UN in the international system, in which sovereign states cooperate to maintain international peace and security, advance sustainable development, ensure the promotion and protection of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all as well as cooperation based on solidarity, mutual respect, justice and equality."

"We further emphasize the urgent need to achieve equitable and inclusive geographical representation in the staff composition of the Secretariat of the United Nations and other international organizations in a timely manner."

ON WESTERN SANCTIONS

"We are deeply concerned about the disruptive effect of unlawful unilateral coercive measures, including illegal sanctions, on the world economy, international trade, and the achievement of the sustainable development goals."

ON THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM'S REFORM

"We underscore the need to reform the current international financial architecture to meet the global financial challenges including global economic governance to make the international financial architecture more inclusive and just."

ON PREVENTION OF FUTURE PANDEMICS

"We support the initiatives of the BRICS R&D Vaccine Center, further development of the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for preventing mass infectious diseases risks."

(With inputs from Reuters)