BRICS issues Goa Declaration pledging enhanced global role

Benaulim, Oct 17 The emerging-market bloc of BRICS issued a joint declaration here, after a meeting, looking to play a bigger role and contribute more to the global governance system.

The Goa Declaration was a result of the eighth BRICS summit that was held on October 15-16 in Goa, under the theme of "Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions."

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma attended the meeting.

The document said the BRICS members expressed satisfaction with the approval of the first batch of loans by the New Development Bank (NDB), particularly in the renewable energy projects in BRICS countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

Noting that BRICS countries represent an influential voice on the global stage, the leaders extended gratitude to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and congratulated Antonio Guterres on his appointment as the next UN chief.

On the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the declaration urged developed countries to commit 0.7 per cent of gross national income for assistance to developing countries.

The five BRICS leaders, who met last month in Hangzhou when China hosted the 11th summit of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies, welcomed the G20 Action Plan and committed to its implementation.

On the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform, the bloc reaffirmed its commitment to a strong, quota based and adequately resourced IMF.

The declaration welcomed the inclusion of the Chinese renminbi (RMB) into the Special Drawing Rights currency basket on October 10, and urged advanced European economies to meet their commitments to cede two chairs on the Executive Board of the IMF.

On the security front, the bloc strongly condemned the recent attacks against some BRICS countries and agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism both at the bilateral level and at international fora.

On environment protection, the BRICS countries welcomed the Paris Agreement and its imminent entry into force on November 4.

India, South Africa, Brazil and Russia conveyed their appreciation to China for its offer to host the Ninth BRICS Summit in 2017 and extended their full support, said the declaration.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, which gathers the world's five major emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

IANS