Leaders from the expanded Brics bloc wrapped up their two-day summit in New Delhi on Sunday, adopting a declaration that pushes for a reformed global governance system without dominance by any single country.
The 18th Brics Summit, held on 12 and 13 September under India’s presidency, brought together leaders from member nations under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined the gathering and told media at the conclusion of the summit that the bloc wants to advance a multilateral system where no single player dominates others.
“All of us are saying that we adhere to a multilateral system where there is no dominance of one player or country over others. We want countries that are in Brics, and indeed countries outside of Brics as well, to respect one another and to respect the sovereignty of all our countries in the world,” he said.
Ramaphosa praised India for hosting what he described as a successful gathering and said he looks forward to the next summit, scheduled for China in 2027.
Multipolar world vision
The president said all member states confirmed their desire for a multipolar world that advances the interests of each nation while promoting harmony.
“The Brics grouping wants to focus on the advancement of all economies and improving people’s lives. That, to me, was the key and central issue because we now live in a world that faces a lot of challenges and conflicts at the geopolitical level,” Ramaphosa said.
The New Delhi Declaration, adopted by all leaders, sets out shared priorities and the future direction for Brics cooperation. It reaffirms the bloc’s commitment to mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness and collaboration.
Leaders welcomed what they described as valuable contributions from partner countries to Brics cooperation and encouraged their increasing participation in areas of shared interest.
South Africa’s economic priorities
South Africa used the platform to advance diplomatic and economic goals, particularly expanding trade and investment within Brics, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and securing investment for African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Ramaphosa addressed the Brics Business Forum on Friday, speaking on trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation. The forum brought together Brics leaders, business representatives, investors and entrepreneurs from member countries and partner economies.
On Saturday, the president spoke at the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable, where he focused on boosting bilateral trade and investment. The forum aimed to encourage more Indian foreign direct investment in sectors including pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, critical minerals and the electric vehicle battery value chain.
Governance reforms on agenda
During a closed session on Saturday, leaders discussed inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism. The session examined the need for a more representative global governance system, including reforms to the United Nations, the international financial architecture and the multilateral trading system.
India convened more than 400 meetings during its presidency, involving ministers, parliamentarians, heads of agencies, officials, experts, businesses and citizens in 30 cities across the country.
The declaration said leaders recognise the progress made in enhancing collective resilience, promoting innovation-driven economic growth, advancing sustainable development, deepening people-to-people exchanges and amplifying the voice of Brics for greater representation in global governance.
“Building on two decades of Brics, we further commit ourselves to strengthening cooperation in the expanded Brics under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation,” the declaration said.
The grouping commended India for hosting the Outreach/Brics Plus Dialogue segment of the summit, which it said injects new impetus to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity.
