MOSCOW (Reuters) – Key Points from the Kazan Declaration by BRICS Group

ON UKRAINE:

"We emphasize that all states should act consistently with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation. We note with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy."

ON THE MIDDLE EAST:

"We reiterate our grave concern at the deterioration of the situation and humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and West Bank due to the Israeli military offensive, leading to mass casualties, forced displacement, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure."

"We express alarm over the situation in Southern Lebanon. We condemn the loss of civilian lives and immense damage to civilian infrastructure from attacks by Israel in residential areas in Lebanon and call for an immediate cessation of military acts."

ON WESTERN SANCTIONS:

"We are deeply concerned about the disruptive effect of unlawful unilateral coercive measures, including illegal sanctions, on the world economy, international trade, and the achievement of sustainable development goals."

ON THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM'S REFORM:

"We underscore the need to reform the current international financial architecture to meet global financial challenges, including global economic governance, to make the system more inclusive and just."

ON BRICS GRAIN EXCHANGE:

"We welcome the initiative of the Russian side to establish a grain (commodities) trading platform within BRICS (the BRICS Grain Exchange) and to develop it, expanding it to other agricultural sectors."

ON BRICS CROSS-BORDER PAYMENT SYSTEM:

"We recognize the widespread benefits of faster, low-cost, efficient, transparent, safe, and inclusive cross-border payment instruments aimed at reducing trade barriers and ensuring non-discriminatory access. We welcome the use of local currencies in financial transactions between BRICS countries and their trading partners."

ON BRICS CLEAR DEPOSITARY:

"We agree to discuss and study the feasibility of establishing an independent cross-border settlement and depositary infrastructure, BRICS Clear, to complement the existing financial market infrastructure, along with BRICS independent reinsurance capacity, including BRICS (Re)Insurance Company, on a voluntary basis."

ON FINANCIAL INNOVATION:

"We welcome the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism (ICM) focusing on expanding innovative financial practices and financing mechanisms in local currencies."

ON THE IMF:

"We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a strong and effective Global Financial Safety Net with a quota-based and adequately resourced IMF at its core."

ON G20:

"We recognize the importance of the continued and productive functioning of the G20, based on consensus with a focus on result-oriented outcomes."

ON PREVENTION OF FUTURE PANDEMICS:

"We support the initiatives of the BRICS R&D Vaccine Center and further development of the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System to prevent mass infectious disease risks."

ON BIG CATS:

"While appreciating our countries' efforts to preserve rare species and acknowledging the high vulnerability of big cats, we note India's initiative to create an International Big Cats Alliance and encourage BRICS countries to collaborate further on big cat conservation."