New Delhi, November 23: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi today participated in the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Prime Minister emphasized the essential role of technology in strengthening human-centered development and proposed the creation of an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance.
He stated that this would facilitate the sharing of digital public infrastructure like UPI, health platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks, and women-led technology initiatives among the three countries. Praising the work of the IBSA Fund in supporting projects across 40 countries, the Prime Minister proposed an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture to further advance South-South cooperation.
The Prime Minister emphasized that global governance institutions are far removed from the realities of the 21st century. He urged IBSA to send a strong message that these are essential for reform. Global governance, especially within the UN Security Council, is no longer an option but an imperative. On counter-terrorism, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for close coordination, stating that there should be no room for double standards when fighting terrorism.
The Prime Minister also highlighted IBSA’s potential to contribute to the development of safe, reliable, and human-centered AI norms. He invited IBSA leaders to the AI โโImpact Summit to be held in India next year. The Prime Minister stated that IBSA can complement each other’s development and serve as an example for sustainable development.
He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in areas such as coarse grains, natural farming, disaster resilience, green energy, traditional medicines, and health security.
The Prime Minister emphasized that IBSA is not just a group of three countries, but an important platform connecting three major democracies and three major economies from three continents. The Prime Minister appreciated the meeting being held alongside the first G20 Summit on African soil.
He said that the G-20 has resulted in important initiatives focusing on human-centered development, multilateral transformation, and sustainable development.
The meeting was hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and attended by Prime Minister Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.