BRICS leaders have called for a more representative global order, stronger cooperation among emerging economies and practical action on trade, finance, technology, energy, health and sustainable development in a wide- ranging declaration adopted at the bloc’s 18th summit in New Delhi.
The New Delhi Declaration, issued after the leaders met from 12 to 13 September under India’s theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, presents BRICS as a platform for reshaping global governance while expanding cooperation among its enlarged membership and partner countries.
The document marks the grouping’s 20th anniversary and contains 140 paragraphs covering international political.and security issues, economic and financial affairs, and cultural and people-to-people links.
A call for a more representative world order
At the centre of the declaration is a demand for deeper reform of the multilateral system.
BRICS leaders said global institutions must better reflect contemporary economic and political realities and called for a system that is more representative, democratic, accountable, effective and responsive.
They reaffirmed support for the United Nations Charter and the central role of the United Nations in maintaining peace and security, advancing sustainable development and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
At the same time, they pressed for
greater participation by emerging-market and developing economies, including the leastdeveloped countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, in global decisionmaking.
The leaders also raised the issue of representation in the United Nations Secretariat and other international bodies, calling for greater geographical balance and increased participation by women, particularly women from the emerging and developing economies, in
senior leadership positions.
They noted that no woman has ever been elected secretary-general of the United Nations and highlighted the limited representation of Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean in that office.
The declaration further backs reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial architecture. BRICS reiterated its support for stronger voice for developing countries in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, including through quota, shareholding and governance reforms.
It also called for a more inclusive and transparent selection process for the leadership of major international financial institutions.
Strong language on Palestine and regional conflicts
The declaration devotes substantial attention to conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, BRICS leaders reaffirmed that a just and lasting settlement can be achieved only through a political solution based on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
They expressed opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians and called for the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and respect for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The leaders also referred to provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in proceedings brought by South Africa against Israel, including the obligation to ensure the provision of
humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The document rejected unilateral efforts to change the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem and called for respect for religious sites and access to them.
It welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, urged all parties to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and condemned attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
On Sudan, BRICS called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a peaceful settlement through dialogue and sustained, unhindered humanitarian assistance.
It said the principle of an “African solution to African problems” should remain central to resolving the
conflict and urged closer coordination among peace initiatives.
The declaration also reaffirmed support for Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and an inclusive, Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations.
More broadly, the leaders condemned terrorism in all forms, called for stronger international cooperation against violent extremism and expressed concern about nuclear risks and possibility of further escalation in areas of geopolitical tension.
Development finance and trade reform
On the economic front, the declaration seeks to strengthen the institutions that BRICS regards as tools for development in the Global South.
Leaders backed a larger role for the
New Development Bank, which they described as a strategic instrument for infrastructure, modernization, resilience and sustainable development in emerging economies.
They encouraged the bank to mobilise more resources, expand local-currency financing, diversify its funding sources and support projects that reduce inequality, improve infrastructure and deepen economic integration.
They also supported the continued expansion of the bank’s membership and welcomed the launch of a BRICS‒New Development Bank knowledge portal to share development experiences, policy innovations and lessons from bank- financed projects.
BRICS also reaffirmed support for the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, a financial safetynet mechanism intended to help members respond to balance-of- payments pressures.
The leaders called for continued work on payment cooperation and technical discussions aimed at making cross- border transactions more efficient, while stopping short of announcing a common BRICS currency.
The declaration supports reform of the World Trade Organization and calls for an open, fair, transparent, inclusive and rules-based trading system.
It also urges the restoration of a fully
functioning, binding, two-tier WTO dispute-settlement mechanism, including the appointment of new Appellate Body members.
The leaders opposed unilateral coercive, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist measures that they said undermine trade, investment, development and the functioning of the multilateral system.
They called for resilient supply chains, stronger customs cooperation, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and greater intra-BRICS trade and investment.
Technology, artificial intelligence and digital cooperation
Technology is presented as a central instrument for resilience and growth. The declaration welcomes cooperation in science, technology and innovation, including support for young researchers, start-ups, innovation networks and the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Framework Programme.
On artificial intelligence, BRICS leaders recognised its potential to support economic growth, public services, scientific research and sustainable development.
They nevertheless stressed the need for safe, secure, trustworthy, ethical and human-centred AI governance that takes account of national circumstances and development priorities.
The leaders supported greater cooperation on digital skills, research and future communications networks. They also emphasised the need to protect children in the digital environment and to address cybersecurity risks.
In the energy sector, the declaration
welcomes the use of AI and advanced data analytics to improve grid management, renewable-energy integration, operational efficiency and cyber resilience.
India’s initiative to establish a voluntary BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage is cited as a way to deepen cooperation on energy technology.
The declaration also supports collaboration on standards and certification for low- and zeroemissions hydrogen.
Energy security, climate and food systems
BRICS leaders described energy security as a foundation of economic and social
development. They called for stable energy markets, uninterrupted flows from diverse sources, resilient supply chains and protection of critical infrastructure.
The declaration acknowledges that fossil fuels will continue to play a role in the energy mix, particularly in emerging and developing economies.
It simultaneously endorses just, orderly, equitable and inclusive energy transitions and reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions in line with climate goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The document supports cooperation across a broad range of technologies, including renewable energy, bioenergy, nuclear power, hydropower, hydrogen, low-carbon technologies and energy storage.
This approach reflects the bloc’s emphasis on technological neutrality and on the principle that national circumstances, capabilities and development needs should shape energy transitions.
Food security is another major priority
The leaders recognised BRICS countries’ importance in global food production and supported cooperation on agricultural productivity, climate resilience, sustainable farming and food-system stability.
They welcomed continued work on the proposed BRICS Grain Exchange and encouraged stronger support for smallholders, family farmers, pastoralists, fishers, Indigenous peoples, local communities, women and young people in agriculture.
Health cooperation after the pandemic era
The declaration expands the health agenda beyond emergency response. BRICS leaders called for stronger health infrastructure, local production of medicines and medical products, improved disease surveillance, laboratory networks, digital health and collaborative research.
They also endorsed cooperation on regulatory systems, public-health institutes, health workforces and equitable access to healthcare.
The text highlights artificial intelligence as a tool for health systems while stressing the importance of preparedness for future health
emergencies.
Mental health receives particular attention. The leaders supported training hubs and networks of centres of excellence, the development of evidence -based mental-health programmes and the integration of mental well-being into primary healthcare.
They also welcomed a BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle and a 2026‒2029 roadmap for joint action on healthy- lifestyle promotion.
The declaration backs collaboration on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine and recognises the importance of sharing knowledge while strengthening health systems and pursuing universal health coverage.
Labour, education and inclusion
BRICS leaders linked resilience to the quality of jobs, skills and social protection. They supported cooperation to forecast skills needs in digital, green, care and other priority sectors and welcomed BRICS CONNECT, a network focused on capacity-building,
employability, new skills and technologies.
The declaration also recognises the challenge of extending social protection to workers in the gig and platform economy.
It calls for stronger protection of workers moving across borders, including the portability of benefits and measures to prevent double payment of social- security contributions.
In education, the leaders encouraged academic mobility, mutual recognition of qualifications, digital literacy, cooperation in early-childhood education and foundational literacy and numeracy.
They supported exchanges and scholarships in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics, as well as closer links between technical and vocational education and industry.
Women and young people are repeatedly identified as contributors to innovation, economic participation and sustainable development.
The declaration supports women’s entrepreneurship and access to finance, markets, technology and skills, while encouraging young researchers, innovators and start-ups to participate more fully in BRICS cooperation.
The road ahead
The declaration provides a broad political framework rather than a single new treaty or binding implementation timetable.
Many of its commitments depend on further work by ministers, officials, working groups, development institutions and national governments.
Its significance will therefore be measured by whether the stated priorities produce practical outcomes in finance, trade, technology, health, energy and conflict diplomacy.
The document closes by welcoming India’s 2026 chairship and extending full support to China, which will chair BRICS in 2027 and host the 19th BRICS Summit.
The handover places continuity at the centre of the bloc’s next phase as it seeks to convert expanded membership and political influence into more coordinated action.
For South Africa, the declaration reinforces priorities outlined ahead of the summit: expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation value addition, mobilising infrastructure investment in Africa and advancing the interests of the Global South.
For the wider grouping, the New Delhi text is an attempt to combine a demand for structural reform of global institutions with a practical programme of cooperation among emerging economies.