{"id":3273,"date":"2024-10-24T00:49:27","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T00:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/?p=3273"},"modified":"2024-10-24T00:59:18","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T00:59:18","slug":"new-centers-of-power-sovereign-equality-and-western-coercion-whats-in-the-brics-kazan-declaration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/2024\/10\/24\/new-centers-of-power-sovereign-equality-and-western-coercion-whats-in-the-brics-kazan-declaration\/","title":{"rendered":"New centers of power, sovereign equality and Western coercion: What\u2019s in the BRICS Kazan Declaration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The document outlines the group\u2019s vision for global governance, economic development, and international cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The BRICS nations approved a joint communique on\u00a0Wednesday during the group\u2019s three-day summit in the Russian city of Kazan. The document addresses multiple global crises and challenges and calls for a fairer and more just international order.<\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong>New centers of power<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a multipolar world order where all nations have an equal say in global affairs. This is reflected in the declaration\u2019s call for greater representation of emerging and developing countries in international institutions.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"President of Russia Vladimir Putin during an expanded meeting of BRICS leaders during the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan.\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/671914e685f5404c7d427f97.jpg\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/news\/606245-brics-integration-putin-address\/\">Multipolar world order, leading role of emerging economies, and Western debt: Key takeaways from Putin\u2019s BRICS address<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em><br \/>\u201cWe note the emergence of new centers of power, policy decision-making, and economic growth, which can pave the way for a more equitable, just, democratic, and balanced multipolar world order,\u201d<\/em> the document stated, adding that such a system would be more beneficial to developing countries than the current Western-led international order.<\/p>\n<p>The BRICS countries welcomed the growing influence of regional organizations such as the African Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). These organizations are viewed as important platforms for promoting economic cooperation, security, and cultural exchange among their member states. The declaration also called for a strengthened World Trade Organization to resolve trade disputes and an expanded UN Security Council to provide greater representation for the Global South.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong>Sovereign equality<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The group emphasized that all countries have the right to pursue their own development paths and make decisions about their internal affairs without interference from other states, stressing the importance of sovereign equality.<\/p>\n<p><em><br \/>\u201cWe reaffirm our commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration, and consensus,\u201d<\/em> the group wrote. The BRICS will further seek to improve their <em>\u201cstrategic partnership for the benefit of our people through the promotion of peace, a more representative and fair international order, a reinvigorated and reformed multilateral system, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong>Welcoming new BRICS partners<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The group noted the <em>\u201cconsiderable interest\u201d<\/em> expressed by countries in the Global South to cooperate, if not join, the bloc, and thus endorsed the modalities for a new BRICS Partner Country category.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrives for the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, October 23, 2024.\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/67183cd32030275d44180197.jpg\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/news\/606176-un-boss-importance-brics\/\">UN chief arrives in Russia for BRICS summit<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em><br \/>\u201cWe strongly believe that extending the BRICS partnership with EMDCs emerging market and developing countries will further contribute to strengthening the spirit of solidarity and true international cooperation for the benefit of all,\u201d<\/em> it stated.<\/p>\n<p>The current BRICS members are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has yet to ratify its membership invitation. With nearly three dozen countries expressing interest in joining the economic bloc, Moscow considers establishing a BRICS partner category the best option for potential expansion.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong>Opposing Western coercive measures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The declaration condemns all sanctions and unilateral coercive measures as incompatible with international law, highlighting their far-reaching implications for human rights.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"RT\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/67195dc82030272a6277e8e3.png\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/business\/606294-brics-western-sanctions-illegal\/\">BRICS reject \u2018illegal\u2019 Western sanctions<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em><br \/>\u201cWe are deeply concerned about the disruptive effects of unlawful unilateral coercive measures, including illegal sanctions, on the world economy, international trade, and the achievement of sustainable development goals,\u201d<\/em> the declaration states, noting that economic sanctions disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable in targeted countries.<\/p>\n<p>The group also condemns <em>\u201cunilateral measures introduced under the pretext of climate and environmental concerns\u201d<\/em> and opposes <em>\u201cunilateral protectionist measures that deliberately disrupt global supply and production chains and distort competition.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><br \/>\u201cAcknowledging the role of BRICS members as the world\u2019s largest producers of natural resources, we underscore the importance of strengthening cooperation among BRICS members across the entire value chain and agree to take joint actions to oppose unilateral protectionist measures,\u201d<\/em> the group declared.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong>Non-discriminatory trade in local currencies<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe recognize the widespread benefits of faster, lower-cost, more efficient, transparent, safe, and inclusive cross-border payment instruments based on minimizing trade barriers and ensuring non-discriminatory access,\u201d<\/em> the document states, likely referring to Russia\u2019s exclusion from the Western SWIFT payment system following the Ukraine conflict.<\/p>\n<p><em><br \/>\u201cWe welcome the use of local currencies in financial transactions between BRICS countries and their trading partners,\u201d<\/em> it continues, calling for the establishment of a BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative. The document also supports the BRICS New Development Bank\u2019s financing projects in local currencies and its growth into a <em>\u201cpremier multilateral development institution.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In a speech at the summit on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that using local currencies instead of the dollar or euro <em>\u201chelps keep economic development free from politics as far as possible in today\u2019s world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong>The Middle East<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The BRICS Declaration highlights the importance of promoting global security through diplomacy, mediation and inclusive dialogue. While acknowledging the <em>\u201cneed to respect the legitimate and reasonable security concerns of all countries,\u201d<\/em> the group stressed <em>\u201cneed to engage in conflict prevention efforts, including through addressing their root causes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Missiles fired from Iran are seen over Jerusalem from Hebron, West Bank on October 01, 2024.\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/67191409203027284b25de96.jpg\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/news\/606275-irans-israel-strikes-law\/\">Iran\u2019s strikes on Israel show its commitment to international law \u2013 official<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em><br \/>\u201cWe 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,\u201d<\/em> the declaration reads, noting that the Israeli operation has <em>\u201cled to mass killing and injury of civilians, forced displacement and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It calls on Hamas to immediately release its Israeli hostages, and on Israel to immediately halt military operations and withdraw from Gaza. Israel\u2019s bombing and ground invasion of Lebanon are also condemned, while its sabotage of thousands of Hezbollah communications devices in September is described as a <em>\u201cterrorist attack.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The document condemns the <em>\u201cillegal foreign military presence\u201d<\/em> in Syria, a reference to the roughly 800 US troops still in the country against Damacus\u2019 wishes, and denounces Israel\u2019s bombing of an Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital, which killed Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and eight other Iranian military officers.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong>Ukraine<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As the BRICS nations have adopted a policy of neutrality regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the declaration did not commit the group to backing either side. Instead, it stressed that <em>\u201call states should act consistently with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter\u201d<\/em> and acknowledged <em>\u201crelevant proposals for mediation and good offices aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"People watch a North Korean military parade on a TV in Seoul, South Korea, October 10, 2020\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/671950ff2030270e90742839.jpg\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/news\/606293-north-korean-legitimate-target\/\">North Korean troops would be \u2018legitimate target\u2019 \u2013 US<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>This language is similar to a declaration released last month by Brazil, China, and a dozen other members of the \u2018Friends of Peace\u2019 group, which called for a <em>\u201ccomprehensive and lasting settlement\u201d<\/em> to the conflict. Kyiv, however, has rejected all peace proposals but its own, which demands that Russia pay reparations, restore Ukraine\u2019s 1991 borders, and hand over its officials to face war crimes tribunals\u00a0\u2013\u00a0demands dismissed by Moscow as delusional.<\/p>\n<p>The Kazan Summit declaration paid little attention to the Ukrainian crisis, as it is not the central issue for the economic bloc, according to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. <em>\u201cYes, this is an important issue on the Russian agenda, but it is far from being the central issue for BRICS. And it was reflected exactly as much as it is supposed to be on the BRICS agenda,\u201d<\/em> Peskov said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The document outlines the group\u2019s vision for global governance, economic development, and international cooperation The BRICS nations approved a joint communique on\u00a0Wednesday during the group\u2019s three-day summit in the Russian city of Kazan. The document addresses multiple global crises and challenges and calls for a fairer and more just international order. New centers of power&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3275,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3273"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3273"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3273\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3281,"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3273\/revisions\/3281"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bnchmrk.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}