Foreign ministers of the BRICS member states have reaffirmed their dedication to deepening collaboration across three priority areas: politics and security, economic and financial development, and cultural and humanitarian engagement.
According to a statement published on the official website of Brazil’s BRICS Presidency, this commitment was reiterated during the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, with the participation of all BRICS member states.
The meeting was held in an expanded format, with delegates from BRICS partner countries also in attendance.
The ministers highlighted the pivotal role of BRICS as a leading voice of the Global South and reiterated their support for reforming the United Nations—particularly calling for increased representation of developing nations within the UN Security Council.
They also advocated for a greater use of national currencies in mutual trade and emphasised the importance of developing independent payment systems.
The New Development Bank (NDB) was recognised as a crucial financial instrument for emerging economies. The ministers welcomed the re-election of Dilma Rousseff as President of the NDB and expressed support for its ongoing expansion.
They acknowledged the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in promoting inclusive development and affirmed their commitment to assisting developing nations in leveraging its benefits. The ministers also welcomed progress towards establishing a regulatory framework for the data economy.
In a strong condemnation of terrorism, the ministers denounced all forms of terrorist activity, making specific reference to the 22 April attack in India that resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people. They reiterated their resolve to intensify counterterrorism cooperation within the bloc and welcomed the efforts of the BRICS specialised working group on counterterrorism. They called for the swift conclusion and adoption of the United Nations Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
On the issue of global digital governance, the ministers underscored the importance of the peaceful use of outer space and advocated for a secure and trustworthy information and communications technology (ICT) environment. They called for universal access to reliable information, the promotion of digital literacy, and the establishment of internationally agreed rules to govern cyberspace, while reaffirming their opposition to cybercrime.
The ministers also reiterated the need to reform the global financial architecture and acknowledged the continued importance of the G20. In light of the recent expansion of BRICS membership, they stressed the need to strengthen the bloc’s institutions, including through the creation of a shared database to facilitate better access to essential documents and background information.
They expressed full support for Brazil’s current chairmanship of the bloc.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a press briefing following the meeting, confirmed that BRICS would continue its engagement with partner countries through a variety of cooperative mechanisms.
The ministers further emphasised the increasing relevance of the “world majority” in confronting global challenges and addressing key international concerns.
