High-level representatives from the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) alignment met on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday, reflecting on the political developments in their regions and reviewing cooperation among member States.

The Brics Foreign/International Relations Ministers’ meeting, which was convened by South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, was attended by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, India’s External Affairs Minister Salaman Khursid, the People’s Republic of China Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazil’s Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Carlos Antonio Paranhos.

The meeting saw the participants recalling the outcome of the Sanya Declaration, adopted at the third Brics Summit held in China, in 2011, which articulated the fundamental principles that aligned the Brics member countries.

The Ministers further concurred that the role of governments in contemporary world politics should focus on “pertinent areas” where leadership was required, most notably in finance, security, information and production.

“Moreover, the Ministers noted, with concern, the recent media statement on the forthcoming G20 Summit to be held in Brisbane, in November. The custodianship of the G20 belongs to all member States equally and no one member State can unilaterally determine its nature and character,” the collective said in a statement. Engineering News Online was unable to conclude which media statement the collective was referring to.

The group further reflected on challenges to peace and security, notably the significant infringements on privacy and related rights in the wake of cyber threats, which needed to be addressed in national and international laws.

They agreed that Brics countries would continue to act as positive catalysts for inclusive change in the transformation process towards a new and more equitable global order.

The representatives further held that the challenges that existed within the Brics countries’ regions needed to be addressed within the fold of the United Nations (UN) in a “calm and level-headed” manner.

“The escalation of hostile language, sanctions, counter-sanctions and force does not contribute to a sustainable and peaceful solution, according to international law, including the principles and purposes of the UN Charter,” they noted.