By Gabriel Ameh
BRICS leaders have adopted the New Delhi Declaration, calling for reforms to global governance institutions and stronger representation for developing countries at the conclusion of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
The declaration emerged from the leaders’ member session held under the theme, “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism.”
Briefing journalists after the session, Secretary (Economic Relations) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Sudhakar Dalela, said the summit was a significant milestone as India assumed the BRICS chairship for the fourth time in the year the grouping marks 20 years of institutionalised cooperation.
India’s chairship has been guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” with an emphasis on practical, forward-looking and people-centred cooperation.
According to Dalela, India has organised more than 350 BRICS meetings since assuming the chairship in January, covering ministerial meetings, working groups, business engagements and other initiatives.
The BRICS leaders agreed on the need to strengthen multilateralism and make global governance institutions more representative, inclusive, effective and responsive to present-day realities.
They reiterated their support for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the UN Security Council, to improve the representation of developing countries.
The leaders also backed reforms to the international financial architecture, seeking a stronger voice and greater influence for countries of the Global South.
Discussions at the summit also covered ongoing geopolitical conflicts and global economic uncertainties, with leaders stressing diplomacy, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a stronger voice for the Global South and reforms to global governance institutions, while urging BRICS to maintain its focus on practical cooperation and development-oriented outcomes that improve people’s lives.
Modi proposed four new initiatives for BRICS cooperation: a BRICS Troika mechanism, a BRICS roadmap on global governance reform, a Seafarer Emergency Support Initiative Network to assist seafarers in distress worldwide, and a Global South Negotiation Support Initiative to build capacity among officials and young professionals in emerging areas including technology and global rule-making.
Dalela described the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration as one of the major outcomes of India’s BRICS chairship, saying it demonstrated the ability of member states to reach consensus on issues of global significance.
A fact sheet released alongside the declaration highlighted more than 50 practical outcomes across the four priority areas of India’s chairship: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
As part of the summit’s sustainability agenda, BRICS leaders also participated in a joint tree-planting initiative focused on environmental stewardship and climate action.
A commemorative postal stamp marking 20 years of BRICS cooperation was also released during the summit.
