Global Solidarity Among Developing Nations Highlighted as Tensions Mount Globally (Kazakhstan)
Taking a Stand for Solidarity in the Face of Global Challenges
ASTANA - Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin put forth the significance of collective decisions and unity among Global South countries as geopolitical pressures and economic instability skyrocket, speaking at the April 29 gathering of the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Check out the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting pic: gov.kz
According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry's media statement, Rakhmetullin emphasized the importance of sustainable development goals (SDGs), the urgency of the climate agenda, and regional cooperation in Central Asia focusing on water resources management, digital transformation, and energy.
He spotlighted the planned Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan under the UN umbrella in 2026 and acknowledged the support for the creation of the UN Regional Center for SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan. Rakhmetullin also extended Kazakhstan's intention to enhance economic interactions with BRICS countries and collaborate on joint projects.
The event coincided with Brazil's 2025 BRICS chairmanship theme, Strengthening Cooperation among Countries of the Global South for More Equitable and Sustainable Governance.
In addition to attending the ministerial meeting, Rakhmetullin took part in a discussion with the Brazilian business community and Kazakhstan's Honorary Consuls, and conducted bilateral talks with high-ranking officials from Brazil, Bolivia, Belarus, and Iran. He also met with the management of the SEBRI analytical center and the Getúlio Vargas Foundation.
BRICS represents Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. Since early January, Kazakhstan holds the status of a BRICS partner country, joining forces with Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
Insights from the Enrichment Data:
- Focus Areas for BRICS
- Global Governance Reform: BRICS aims to make international institutions more inclusive and sustainable, addressing global and regional crises and promoting multilateral cooperation.
- Sustainable Development and Climate Action: The group seeks to combat climate change through increased investments in environmental funds, especially under the current Brazilian presidency.
- Regional Cooperation and Multilateralism: Dialogue and cooperation are encouraged among the BRICS countries to oppose unilateral measures and political polarization, advocating for a more just and sustainable multipolar world order.
- Trade and Tariffs: The ministers are working to resolve trade and tariff issues by undermining unilateral measures disrupting global supply chains and affirming the centrality of multilateral trade negotiations.
- Regional and Global Stability The BRICS Council discussed geopolitical tensions and protectionism, promoting peaceful coexistence and opposing economic sanctions that violate international law and WTO rules. The upcoming 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro will further develop these themes.
- Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister, Akan Rakhmetullin, underscored Kazakhstan's intention to take up the UN Regional Center for SDGs chairmanship in Central Asia and Afghanistan by 2025, aligning with Brazil's focus on global South countries during their BRICS chairmanship.
- During the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Rakhmetullin advocated for regional cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in areas such as water resources management, digital transformation, and energy, aiming to combat instability and foster sustainable development.
- Rakhmetullin's agenda included a Regional Climate Summit under the UN umbrella in Kazakhstan in 2025, aiming to address climate change, an issue of concern for both global news and environmental science.
- In an effort to strengthen bilateral relationships, Rakhmetullin engaged in discussions with the Brazilian business community and Kazakhstan's Honorary Consuls, as well as high-ranking officials from Brazil, Bolivia, Belarus, and Iran.
- Through BRICS, countries like Kazakhstan aim to promote collective decisions and unity among the Global South, working together to reform global governance, advocate for sustainable development and climate action, encourage regional cooperation and multilateralism, resolve trade and tariff issues, and uphold regional and global stability.
