A Fresh Wind from the South

The document examines the IBSA coalition's shift from purely political goals, such as UN Security Council reform, toward tangible cooperation in renewable energy, biotechnology, and social development. While noting a 600% increase in trilateral trade to $3bn, it argues that IBSA is a complement to, rather than a replacement for, north-south trade and investment. It highlights the creation of an IBSA development fund with $1.5m in start-up capital for social projects, though it notes this fund lacks significant financial leverage.

• The IBSA coalition is evolving from a focus on political positions and UN reform toward pragmatic exchanges in sectors including renewable energy, biotechnology, and information technology.
• India, Brazil, and South Africa established an IBSA development fund for social upliftment projects in poor developing countries with $1.5 million in initial capital, though the fund is limited by a lack of financial leverage and operational challenges in places like Laos and Guinea Bissau.
• Trilateral trade between India, Brazil, and South Africa grew 600% over ten years to reach $3 billion last year, yet remains small compared to trade with partners in North America, Europe, and Asia.
• IBSA is intended to complement existing north-south relations rather than replace them, as developing countries still depend on the north for investment and purchasing power.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2008). A Fresh Wind from the South. https://saiia.org.za/research/a-fresh-wind-from-the-south/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. A Fresh Wind from the South. 2008. https://saiia.org.za/research/a-fresh-wind-from-the-south/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=A Fresh Wind from the South |date=30 April 2008 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/a-fresh-wind-from-the-south/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2008fresh, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{A Fresh Wind from the South}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2008}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/a-fresh-wind-from-the-south/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }