Parliamentary leaders bat for UN reforms, international cooperation against terrorism
New Delhi, Oct 27: Calling for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including its Security Council, the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on Tuesday univocally condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 people dead.
In a joint declaration adopted at the conclusion of the two-day forum in New Delhi, the parliamentary representatives, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) condemned what they described as a Pakistan-backed terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, and called for concrete international action against all terrorists and entities designated by the United Nations.
The declaration described terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable. It rejected double standards in combating the threat and called for the early finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the UN framework.
The representatives also stressed that counter-terrorism efforts must comply with international law and respect human rights.
On global governance, the forum called for reforms to make the United Nations and its Security Council more representative, democratic, equitable and effective, arguing that international institutions should better reflect the interests and voices of the Global South.
The declaration reaffirmed the importance of multilateral cooperation in maintaining international peace, protecting human rights and resolving disputes, while identifying the Global South as an important driver of change in global governance.
On the situation in the Middle East, the parliamentary leaders expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in West Asia and called for restraint, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and avoidance of actions that could further aggravate the situation.
They reiterated support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. The declaration also reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent, sovereign state.
The forum condemned violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian personnel, and underlined the need for accountability.
The declaration also criticised unilateral coercive measures that it said were contrary to international law, noting their potential adverse effects on human rights, healthcare, food security and the right to development.
On climate change and sustainable development, the representatives called for stronger implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, including greater efforts towards climate mitigation and adaptation.
The declaration said developed countries should provide developing nations with adequate and predictable financial resources, technology transfer and capacity-building support to help them adapt to climate change.
The forum also underlined the need to ensure that artificial intelligence and information and communication technologies are used in an open, safe, secure and equitable manner, with due regard to data privacy and national sovereignty.
It encouraged BRICS countries to share digital tools and best practices for parliamentary research, public outreach and citizen feedback, while welcoming proposals for a repository of digital public infrastructure and pilot projects among member countries.
The meeting brought together parliamentary representatives from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates under the theme “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development”.
The delegates welcomed India’s BRICS chairship for 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across political, security, economic, financial and cultural fields.
They also called for greater inter-parliamentary engagement through international bodies, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and took note of Russia’s proposal to consider establishing a BRICS Plus geopolitical group within the organisation.
The forum concluded by thanking India’s Parliament and people for hosting the meeting and said the next edition would be held in 2027 under China’s incoming BRICS chairship. (KNO)
