Strong legislative links for BRICS

At the BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2022, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, Li Zhanshu called on legislative bodies of member states to uphold fairness and justice for strategic cooperation. This message is important for BRICS, as interconnectivity, regional linkages and economic interdependence become increasingly critical for the global economy. With stronger legislative linkages, BRICS can further solidify existing ties, strengthen unity and contribute towards global prosperity.

There are plenty of areas which member states can capitalize on in 2022. The foundation of BRICS for example remains anchored in mutual respect, neutrality and peaceful coexistence with stronger communications on state governance ensuring that the member states remained unified on the principles they are committed to. The BRICS forum in Xiamen 2022 for example, focuses on deepening linkages for a new industrial revolution and sovereign parliamentary forums passing legislation only serves to promote the requisite policy making needed to attain sustainable development. This includes the swift implementation of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development, encompassing eradication of poverty and balancing three dimensions of sustainable development which are economic, social and environmental aspects. Stronger legislative linkages between BRICS states gives a greater collective voice on achieving such agendas.

Furthermore, as emerging economies with significant geopolitical clout, BRICS states can benefit from elevated cooperation to address common domestic and international quagmires witnessed in 2022. While GDP growth rates have remained largely strong, newly industrialised countries require strong policy coordination on issues concerning the globe. Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula at the 8^th BRICS Parliamentary Forum virtual meeting said that collective solutions need to be devised by member states to counter pressing challenges such as global fuel shortages and the international financial crisis, especially for developing nations. A stronger legislative framework within BRICS that sanctions joint efforts towards addressing issues emerging during the Ukraine war and pandemic era will greatly enhance member state’s contribution to global prosperity. As mentioned by the Speaker of the National Assembly from South Africa, the legislatures of each member state can play a key role in promoting public diplomacy while catering to multilateralism. That is precisely the need of the hour.

Note further that BRICS member states do not pursue nefarious designs nor advocate for war, sanctions or punitive actions against any UN member state. With joint principles anchored in the tenets of international law, constructive roles played by national legislative bodies can enhance the spirit of the UN Charter with non-violence and non-aggression being guiding principles for the international community to follow. With the American sanctioned world order in a state of crisis in 2022, BRICS can continue to spearhead principles of non-intervention and non-interference globally, while also advocate for the resolution of all disputes through international law in the year 2022.

In 2022, BRICS will be striving to achieve industrial digital transformation and supply chain cooperation in sync with global realities. At the BRICS Industrial Innovation Contest 2022, twenty nine projects worth $2.62 billion were signed, which provides a platform ripe for developing stronger economic partnerships between member states. Stronger parliamentary participation and joint legal covers will only strengthen the frameworks needed for such meaningful investments to materialise. Beyond projects, the active roles of legislative bodies also support initiatives such as the Global Security Initiative which stays committed to the resolution of all outstanding disputes through dialogue, respecting territorial sovereignty and multilateralism.

The BRICS has demonstrated that in an era of unilateralism, populism and threats to global connectivity, it can continue to stand tall as a bulwark of stability. Member states have closely coordinated over issues concerning their respective regions and promoted sustainable development through shrewd policy making and agreements such as the Beijing Declaration of 2022. By constantly focusing on peace, health, economy and people to people exchanges, BRICS will greatly benefit if their respective parliaments of member states adopt the requisite legislations which will strengthen its unity and promote greater cooperation.

It could be the age for BRICS as alongside ASEAN and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, non-western alliances continue to gain traction in the international community. If there are issues that countries do confront, that involves the inability to cater to domestic issues ranging from widespread income inequality, disparities in provision of health care and education as well as financial inequities. A sound legal framework allows all member states to discuss issues of importance to the international community while also paying attention to devising solutions to cater to domestic issues. For that to materialise however, member states such as India must refrain from constantly antagonising integral cogs of BRICS such as China and eschew nefarious designs which only cause regional disruption. Accepting peace with neighbouring countries such as Pakistan can promote greater regional integration yet toxic majoritarian ideologies will remain an impediment. Course correction by countries such as India can have a significant impact on the prosperity of BRICS as a major regional bloc.

In short, the message at the BRICS parliamentary forum of 2022 provides a roadmap for the future.

The writer is an Assistant Research Associate at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute