In the recent decades, there has been a strong movement between countries and their governments to form groups of allies in order to work together on common issues. These groups of countries may vary depending on their objectives. For example, in 2001, economist Jim O´Neil appointed the acronym “BRICS” to the five countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and later integrated, South Africa) which share the reputation for emerging economic markets with a developing great potential. Its cooperation mechanisms has the aim of promoting peace, security and development. Another example, is one of the most recognized groups in our current times. Founded in 1999, the G20 is known for being the “congress” of 19 member countries and the European Union, in search of international economic cooperation. In this case, the member states of the G20 represent around 86% of the world´s GDP and more than 70% of the international trade in the world. Just as these alliances that have been formed for specific and yet various purposes, MIKTA was also born with a special objective. Composed by Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkiye, and Australia; MIKTA is recognized as an interregional grouping of some of the G20 member countries.
Its founding was celebrated in 2013 in New York before the General Assembly of the United Nations with the first conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs under the notion that by collaborating together, perhaps, the gaps between developing and developed nations can be narrowed. These five nations are located in completely different regions, with extremely diverse cultures and dialects. However, their commitment is focused on democracy and mutual support in the existing multilateral order. This implies that MIKTA is devoted to serving as an interregional consultative forum with the hope of increasing mutual understanding on issues in order to deepen bilateral ties and thus, obtain a common ground for cooperation. As well as participating in important international meetings, MIKTA also possesses the function of working as a mechanism for launching initiatives and executing reforms on global governance.
On November 15 of the past year, MIKTA leaders met in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. This meeting was relevant because it honored its first decade in service and therefore, it brought together, once again, the Ministers of Foreign Relations its member states like it was implemented by Mexico in Los Cabos in 2012. During that Meeting of Ministers, the concept of positioning MIKTA as a consultative platform between the five democracies with dominant influences within their respective regions that favor having open and flexible economies was discussed for the first time.
In moments of crisis and uncertainty, the international economy and governments are not the only ones going through difficult phases. Political setbacks, economic unpredictabilities and security issues have reached their consequences on a multidimensional level. Nonetheless, the importance of allied groups such as MIKTA remaining committed to peace, stability and above all, international prosperity is paramount. Accompanied by the combined goal of reinforcing shared values and similarities like democracy and the respect for international public law, MIKTA proceeds with the role of being the leaders responsible for ensuring international cooperation and the flourishing of multilateralism.
In the course of Turkiye´s presidency in 2022, MIKTA was guided by emphasizing on issues ranging from global health, food security, and the management of effective migration. These affairs were not only discussed by the member countries, since MIKTA took the cases to other countries and international organization advocating for an increase coordination and cooperation for the mutual benefits of having these problems resolved.
MIKTA has claimed on numerous occasions its role as an advocate for global governance and works to correct the disparities between developed and developing nations
This year MIKTA held its Twenty-third Meeting of Ministers in New Delhi, India. As on past occasions, on the sidelines of the G20 meeting, a large quantity of topics were discussed, such as the collective achievements under the leadership of Turkiye, as well as their projections for the upcoming years. However, the importance of an inclusive economic recovery after the pandemic was debated and the significance of a fair participation in the era of digital transformation. It should be noted that a public announcement was made in which the four member countries expressed their deepest condolences for the lives lost and the damaged caused by the earthquakes that hit Turkish and Syrian territories last February. The statement also highlighted the existing solidarity with the Turkish government and its population. Likewise, the subject of having greater resilience in the food system process was examined, since the efficient reach of grains and fertilizers in global markets is of prime importance. This issue was handled in detail and with a sufficient amount of prudence due to the fact that it approved the Black Sea Grain Initiative negotiated by Turkiye and the United Nations. The initiative is still in the process of fulfilling its primary function of promoting and enabling the export of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine with the purpose of reducing food prices. For that reason, it was highlighted that to have the ability to achieve stability in international food prices, the need for the development of this plan must go uninterrupted.
The Russian invasion in Ukraine could not be left out of the agenda. MIKTA members jointly expressed their support for the sovereignty and integrity of the Ukrainian territory. They also called on Russia to stop its use of force immediately and promoted diplomacy as the only instrument capable of solving the ongoing catastrophe in Ukraine.
MIKTA has claimed on numerous occasions its role as an advocate for global governance and works to correct the disparities between developed and developing nations. Of course, this entails extensive efforts to produce consensus on matters that affect everyone. Since its launch a decade ago, MIKTA has managed to organize twenty-three meetings of Foreign Ministers, eighteen meetings of senior officials, seven consultations of speakers of parliaments and more than 85 declarations accepted by the five member countries. Now, the title of the 2023 MIKTA presidency goes to Indonesia. As advocates of global diplomacy and governance, it is expected of them to continue working together to resolve conflicts that threaten international collaboration.
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