IBSA Six Years On: Co-operation in a New Global Order

This policy briefing evaluates the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Forum six years after its 2003 launch. It argues that while the forum has a mixed record regarding commercial outcomes and market integration, it has successfully fostered political coordination and development cooperation. The author recommends that IBSA prioritize development efforts and the expansion of its development fund to distinguish itself from economic-centric groupings like BRIC.

• IBSA has achieved significant success in political coordination and multilateral alignment, particularly at the United Nations where member countries show a 96% vote convergence. The forum has been a primary vehicle for demanding the reform of global institutions, with a specific focus on the UN Security Council.
• Economic and market integration among IBSA members is hindered by regional constraints and is considered unrealistic. While trilateral trade grew from $3.9 billion in 2003 to over $10 billion in 2008, it remains small compared to other emerging power trade, such as the $43 billion in 2008 between China and Brazil.
• The IBSA development fund is highlighted as an unexpected success, utilizing a model where each member contributes $1 million annually. Administered by the United Nations Development Programme, the fund has completed projects in Haiti (waste management), Guinea Bissau (agricultural development), and Cape Verde (health care clinic), with further projects in Burundi, Palestine, Gaza, and Laos.
• Brazil views IBSA as a tool for its southern development strategy and the sharing of 'social technology'—a blend of technical support and social assistance. Brazil has 125 technical co-operation projects across 19 African countries.
• The author distinguishes IBSA from the BRIC (Brazil-Russia-India-China) grouping, stating that while BRIC is driven by economic imperatives and the restructuring of global financial architecture, IBSA is focused on development and political cooperation. The document asserts that both groupings can and should co-exist because they perform different functions.
• The briefing recommends that IBSA shift its focus away from overarching trade agreements toward trade facilitation, such as improving connectivity, removing double taxation, and visa exemptions. It also suggests expanding the development fund to incorporate emerging donor functions currently handled bilaterally.

APA

White, L. (2009). IBSA Six Years On: Co-operation in a New Global Order. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-8.pdf

Chicago

White, Lyal. IBSA Six Years On: Co-operation in a New Global Order. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2009. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-8.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=White |first1=Lyal |title=IBSA Six Years On: Co-operation in a New Global Order |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=8 November 2009 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-8.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{white2009ibsa, author = {White, Lyal}, title = {{IBSA Six Years On: Co-operation in a New Global Order}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2009}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-8.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }