BRICS Summit Declaration Emphasizes Political, Security, Economic, and Cultural Cooperation
New Delhi, Sept 12 (KUNA) -- The member states of the BRICS group adopted the New Delhi Declaration on Saturday, affirming political, security, economic, and cultural cooperation. The declaration, issued at the conclusion of the group’s 18th summit held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” stated: “We reiterate our commitment to the BRICS spirit, which is based on mutual respect, mutual understanding, equality of sovereignty, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, cooperation, and consensus.”
The declaration noted that, building on two decades of BRICS progress, member states are committed to further enhancing cooperation within the expanded group through its three pillars: political and security cooperation; economic and financial cooperation; and cultural and people-to-people cooperation. The countries also pledged to strengthen strategic partnerships to serve the interests of their peoples by promoting peace, establishing a more just, representative, and effective international system, revitalizing and reforming the multilateral system, and achieving sustainable development and inclusive growth.
The group also acknowledged the valuable contribution of BRICS partner countries and emphasized its firm conviction that advancing the partnership between BRICS, emerging markets, and developing countries will further enhance the spirit of international solidarity and cooperation for the benefit of all. The declaration stated: “We reiterate our commitment to strengthening a comprehensive, mutually beneficial, and development-oriented partnership with partner countries. We encourage their increasing participation in BRICS activities and practical cooperation in areas of common interest.”
The declaration further reaffirmed the commitment to advancing cooperation on thematic priorities, particularly through capacity building, encouraging innovation, and enhancing sustainable development and resilience. It stated: “On this important occasion, marking the 20th anniversary of BRICS, we renew our commitment to reforming and improving global governance by strengthening an international and multilateral system characterized by justice, fairness, resilience, effectiveness, efficiency, responsiveness, representation, legitimacy, democracy, and accountability, under the spirit of extensive consultations, shared contributions, and mutual benefits.”
The declaration also reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring greater, more effective participation and representation of the least developed countries, particularly those in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, in global decision-making processes and structures, making them more relevant to contemporary realities. It emphasized that, in the context of the current multipolar world, it is essential for developing countries to intensify efforts to enhance dialogue and consultations in pursuit of a more just and equitable global governance system and to build relationships that yield mutual benefits for all countries.
The declaration stressed the importance of the Global South as a driver of positive change, particularly in facing serious international challenges, including escalating geopolitical tensions, sharp economic slowdown, rapid technological changes, protectionist measures, migration challenges, and climate change. It condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law and reiterated that such measures, including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, have far-reaching negative repercussions that affect human rights, including the rights to development, health, and food security of the populations of targeted countries, disproportionately harm the poor and most vulnerable groups, widen the digital divide, and exacerbate environmental challenges.
The declaration called for the abolition of these illegal measures, reiterating its opposition to unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council.
New Delhi is hosting the 18th BRICS summit over two days, with participation from numerous global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Leaders from 11 countries are participating in the event: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Attending the summit are South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. Brazil and Saudi Arabia are represented by their foreign ministers, Mauro Vieira and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, respectively. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung are also attending the summit.
Representatives of various international organizations are participating, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff.
India assumed the BRICS presidency on January 1, 2026, under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” This marks the fourth time India has held the presidency, having previously presided over the group in 2012, 2016, and 2021. (End) a.t.k / m.m.j
