The recent virtual meeting of IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) Tourism Ministers’ organized by India has brought the trilateral developmental initiative to the spotlight once again. India, the current IBSA Chair, has been actively promoting the principles of South-South Cooperation (SSC). A deeper dive into the concept of IBSA reveals an interesting blend of historical ties, common goals, and concerted efforts for global development.
Origins and Formation of IBSA
IBSA, a collaborative effort between India, Brazil, and South Africa, was set up with the primary aim to support South-South cooperation. The roots of SSC stretch back to various historical efforts aimed at fostering solidarity among the southern countries. Some key milestones include the Bandung conference 1955, the Non-Aligned Movement 1961, G77 grouping, UNCTAD, the Buenos Aires Plan of Action 1978, and the 2009 Nairobi declaration.
IBSA was officially formalized on 6th June 2003, when the Foreign Ministers of India, Brazil, and South Africa met in Brasilia and issued the Brasilia Declaration. It is worth noting that IBSA does not have a designated headquarters or a permanent executive secretariat.
Key Activities and Initiatives
Several high-level meetings, including five Leadership Summits, have been held under the aegis of IBSA. The most recent Summit took place in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2011, and the upcoming 6th IBSA Summit is slated to be hosted by India.
Among its various activities, IBSAMAR, an acronym for IBSA Maritime Exercise, serves as a crucial part of IBSA’s defense cooperation. Until now, six editions of IBSAMAR have been conducted, with the latest one off the coast of South Africa in October 2018.
IBSA Fund and Fellowship Programme
Established in 2004, the IBSA Fund was created to execute development projects in developing countries, financed by each IBSA member country’s annual contribution of $1 million. The United Nations (UN) Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) manages the fund.
Additionally, IBSA has established a Fellowship Programme that focuses on coordinating, supporting, and enabling sustainable global development. It also fosters joint research for cooperation and exchange of information in areas such as macroeconomy, trade, and development within the IBSA framework.
Performance Analysis and Awards
Despite the emergence of other groupings like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), IBSA has managed to carve out its unique identity. Over the years, the IBSA Fund has contributed $39 million and partnered with 19 countries from the global South, funding projects in countries like Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, and others.
Its commendable work has not gone unnoticed. The IBSA Fund has received the UN South-South Partnership award 2006, the UN MDG (Millennium Development Goals) award 2010, and the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Champions award in 2012.
Opportunities Ahead
In the evolving global landscape, IBSA has several opportunities to seize. Working towards the MERCOSUR-SACU-India Trilateral Preferential trade Agreement and eventually a Free Trade Area will help maintain the grouping’s relevance. Additionally, leveraging their collective influence in other groupings like BRICS and G20 can bolster their standing internationally.
Also, spearheading efforts to reform multilateral institutions such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), IMF, etc., is crucial as India, Brazil, and South Africa strive to become permanent members of UNSC.
Looking Forward
IBSA continues to drive global institutional reforms and foster a transparent international trading and finance system. This new partnership-based model is helping to accelerate the development agenda of the global South. The distinct ‘people-centric’ approach of Sout-South cooperation is its key strength, which will pave the way for revamping global financial architecture and reforming institutions of global governance.