As the world contends with unprecedented challenges -ranging from climate change, armed conflicts, lawless behaviours, poverty, cyberattacks, and economic instability- the need for innovative and cooperative solutions is more urgent than has ever been before. In this context, the MIKTA Group stands as a beacon of potential collaboration among middle powers.
What is MIKTA?
MIKTA, comprising Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Türkiye, and Australia, was established in 2013 as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among its members, each representing diverse regions and perspectives. The Group’s composition reflects a shared commitment to multilateralism and a recognition that collective action is essential to address the world’s most complex issues. MIKTA stands for democracy, upholding the principles of international law, multilateralism, and international cooperation.
A significant advantage of MIKTA is its ability to amplify the voices of middle powers. Thus, at the outset of MIKTA´s second decade of partnership, its member states, all of them G20 economies, are even more firmly committed to strengthening institutions, principles, and norms that enable peaceful international coexistence with a positive and realistic approach.
In 2024, Mexico held the Chair of MIKTA, setting three key priorities: 1) Strengthening multilateralism; 2) Placing women at the center of development efforts; and 3) Deepening coordination among development cooperation authorities. In its capacity as Chair, Mexico convened important meetings, such as the 4th Global Development Network and the 10th MIKTA Speakers Consultation in Mexico City; it also coordinated 9 MIKTA joint statements and 2 joint communiqués, delivered at high-level multilateral meetings. Mexico organized, through its embassies, different events focused on its priorities, expanding the scope of action and raising awareness about the positive impact countries can have on the international agenda when countries join meaningful efforts.
In 2024, MIKTA also met in the framework of the two most important meetings on the international calendar: the High-Level Segment of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, and the G20 Rio Summit, showing the world that MIKTA is fully committed to taking action for the benefit of the planet and communities through the adoption of commitments for sustainability, finance for development, food security, digitalization, peace, and security, among many other relevant issues. At the United Nations, MIKTA held a Ministerial meeting, welcoming the Pact for the Future, including its two annexes: the Global Digital Compact, negotiated under the leadership of Sweden, and the Declaration for Future Generations. The negotiation process and the adoption of the Pact for the Future itself faced multiple obstacles and procedural manoeuvres derived from a very complex geopolitical environment.
During the G20 Summit in Rio, the Heads of State of MIKTA reaffirmed that, in times of crisis, they are committed to a peaceful, just, and sustainable world, urging also the UN Member States to uphold the UN Charter and the Security Council Resolutions. They also highlighted MIKTA’s role in finding practical solutions to global challenges, emphasizing the importance of joint actions in areas like sustainable development, food security, global health, and digital cooperation.
MIKTA's work in Stockholm
As part of the outreach activities promoted by the Mexican Chair, MIKTA Group's ambassadors in Stockholm took on the task of working together to carry out some visits in order, first, to publicize and highlight MIKTA in Sweden and then to organize a series of activities of a substantive nature, based on common interests.
The Group held a courtesy meeting at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the then State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson, to introduce him to MIKTA and to announce our interest in engaging with stakeholders in Stockholm. We received support from him, and in fact, he commended us for promoting multilateralism, an area that is deeply rooted in Sweden's foreign policy.
We also met with International IDEA, an international organization for the promotion of democracy based in Stockholm. The Council of Member States’ Chair, Henri Schumacher, Ambassador of Luxembourg, expressed his support for the work of MIKTA, especially on the issue of Women's Empowerment, recognizing its impact on promoting democracy and invited the Group to build a stronger relationship in the future with the Organization through the office of the Secretary General.
Another important partner for MIKTA in Stockholm is the Swedish Branch of the International Law Association. With this organization, we have agreed to organize academic activities on the most pressing issues of international law, which, considering the priorities and values of the group, are the essential norms to guarantee harmonious coexistence between countries.
For Mexico, MIKTA offers an important platform to expand its global diplomatic reach and influence, allowing us to collaborate with like-minded countries on issues such as sustainable development, climate change, trade, and security. Mexico's involvement in MIKTA is centered on strengthening bilateral relations, promoting international cooperation, and addressing global challenges through multilateral consultations. This partnership provides all members of the group with opportunities to engage with non-traditional global partners, contribute to international agendas, and assume significant global roles.
In the future, MIKTA is looking forward to engaging with private and public institutions and agencies from central and local governments. We also plan to continue conversations with the Parliament, the diplomatic community, the highly qualified universities of Sweden, and all other actors who share MIKTA’s values and objectives of a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The MIKTA Chair will be handed over to the Republic of Korea in February 2025 to give further impetus to this Group.
H.E. Mr Alejandro Alday
Ambassador of Mexico in Sweden