IBSA Unity Grows After G20 Engagement

(JOHANNESBURG) – Cooperation among emerging economies in the Global South is gaining renewed attention as India, Brazil and South Africa move to strengthen the IBSA Dialogue Forum, a trilateral platform that seeks to promote inclusive growth and fair global governance outside traditional Western dominated institutions.

In a world where economic and political power is becoming more widely distributed, many developing countries are increasingly questioning the effectiveness of long established global bodies such as the G7, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These institutions are often seen as slow to adapt to modern realities and less responsive to the needs of poorer and developing nations, including countries in Africa such as South Sudan.

While BRICS has emerged as the most prominent bloc challenging the influence of traditional global institutions, smaller groupings have also gained importance. Among them, IBSA, formed in 2003, brings together three large democracies from Asia, Africa and South America. Its core aim is to advance South South cooperation based on shared development priorities and mutual respect.

The IBSA Dialogue held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November brought new political energy to the forum. The meeting was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Their engagement signalled a collective desire to give IBSA a stronger and more visible role in shaping global discussions on development, trade and governance.

Recent tensions with the United States have added urgency to this effort. Washington has imposed heavy tariffs of up to 50 percent on selected exports from India and Brazil. South Africa has also faced political pressure following unfounded allegations related to its domestic affairs, which led to the United States president skipping the Johannesburg G20 Summit. These actions have reinforced concerns among IBSA members about unequal treatment in the global system.

For many developing countries, including South Sudan, such disputes highlight the risks of over reliance on a narrow group of global partners. Diversified cooperation among emerging economies is increasingly seen as a way to reduce vulnerability and expand development options.

President Ramaphosa, who has assumed IBSA’s rotational presidency, used the dialogue to call for deep reform of global institutions. He said cooperation within IBSA is rooted in the everyday realities faced by ordinary citizens and stressed that reducing inequality and underdevelopment requires a more inclusive model of economic growth.

He argued that the widening gap between rich and poor countries is a structural weakness in the global economy that can only be addressed through meaningful changes in how international decision making bodies operate. This message resonates strongly in Africa, where countries such as South Sudan continue to seek fair access to finance, markets and development support.

Prime Minister Modi echoed these concerns, stating that global governance institutions no longer reflect the realities of the twenty first century. He pointed out that none of the IBSA countries holds a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, which he said clearly shows the need for reform.

Modi urged IBSA to present a united message focused on cooperation and humanity at a time when global politics appears increasingly fragmented. He described institutional reform as a necessity rather than a choice and called for closer coordination on security matters, including counter terrorism, without double standards.

Technology was another key focus of the discussions. Modi proposed the creation of an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance aimed at sharing digital public infrastructure and supporting human centred technological development. He said cooperation in areas such as digital payments, health platforms, cyber security and women led technology initiatives could help accelerate growth across the Global South.

Such digital cooperation holds relevance for countries like South Sudan, where mobile technology and digital services are gradually expanding and could benefit from shared experiences and scalable solutions developed by larger emerging economies.

Climate and agriculture also featured prominently in the dialogue. The IBSA Fund, operational since 2006, has supported nearly 50 projects across 40 countries, focusing on education, health, women empowerment and renewable energy. Modi proposed the creation of an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture to address the growing impact of climate change on food security.

IBSA Fund at a glance

Brazilian President Lula da Silva emphasised that closer coordination among IBSA members could strengthen their collective influence within global platforms such as the United Nations, the G20 and BRICS. He called for the modernisation of IBSA’s role to reflect changes in the international landscape, including the expansion of BRICS and the growing prominence of emerging economies.

Da Silva said the democratic character and economic weight of IBSA members give the forum a distinct identity and practical capacity to contribute to global problem solving. He supported the idea of holding a full IBSA Summit in the near future to sustain momentum and translate dialogue into concrete action.

For African economies, including South Sudan, the renewed push within IBSA highlights the importance of South South partnerships that prioritise development needs rather than geopolitical rivalry. While South Sudan is not part of IBSA, stronger cooperation among major emerging economies can open new opportunities for trade, investment and development support across the continent.

In a practical demonstration of South South cooperation translating into action on the ground, the Government of South Sudan in August 2025 launched a new agriculture initiative funded through the India, Brazil and South Africa IBSA Fund.

The project, titled Empowering Women and Youth to Drive Sustainable Agriculture, was launched in Central Equatoria State through a partnership involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the United Nations Development Programme. The programme is being implemented by Oxfam South Sudan.

The initiative targets 1,200 small scale vegetable farmers across Central Equatoria, with women accounting for at least 60 percent of beneficiaries. It focuses on improving agricultural productivity and household incomes by providing modern irrigation systems, quality seeds, farming tools, technical training and improved access to local markets.

Through strengthening small scale farming, the project aims to increase local food production, reduce dependence on imported food, create rural jobs and improve livelihoods, particularly for women and youth. The initiative also aligns with South Sudan’s broader efforts to build climate resilient and sustainable agriculture systems.

Funding for the programme is provided by the IBSA Fund through the United Nations Office for South South Cooperation, highlighting how cooperation among emerging economies can deliver tangible development outcomes in fragile and food insecure contexts such as South Sudan.

Project snapshot

For South Sudan’s business and development community, the project offers a clear example of how global South partnerships can support local production, strengthen rural economies and contribute to long term food security goals.