BRICS Endorse Brazil’s Candidacy for UN Security Council Rotating Membership
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The BRICS countries, a group comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expressed their support for Brazil’s candidacy for rotating membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council in 2022 and 2023. The endorsement is contained in the statement of the group’s 12th Summit, held online yesterday, November 17th.
The joint text also advocated international cooperation to address the Covid-19 pandemic and the equitable distribution of a safe and effective vaccine. With respect to international trade, the countries called for a reform in the World Trade Organization (WTO), which would promote the defense of developing countries, avoid the protectionism of wealthy countries and seek a more “resilient” global supply chain.
Council
Under Russia’s presidency, the BRICS advocated a comprehensive UN reform to include more of the group’s countries in the Security Council. With the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom as permanent members, the council represents the main conflict arbitrator in the international system and has ten rotating members, elected for two-year terms. For several decades, Brazil, one of the countries that has held the position of non-permanent member, has sought a permanent seat.
Strengthening support for international law and democracy, the statement calls for respect for the sovereignty of states and for compliance with the principle of non-intervention in countries. The countries reiterated their commitment to peace, stability, mutual respect, and equality, with any international disputes being resolved by peaceful means.
Speech
The statement is in line with some requests from President Jair Bolsonaro. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, he advocated changes in the WTO, reiterated Brazil’s call for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and urged reforms in the World Health Organization (W.H.O.). The President also vowed to release a list of [foreign countries] importers of illegal timber from the Brazilian Amazon, criticizing the “attacks” that the government suffers in relation to patch burning and deforestation.
Source: Agência Brasil
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