Foreign ministers of BRICS member states have renewed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across political, economic, and cultural spheres during a two-day meeting held in Rio de Janeiro. The gathering, hosted under Brazil’s BRICS Presidency, brought together representatives from all member countries and was held in an expanded format with delegates from partner nations also in attendance.
According to an official statement released on Brazil’s BRICS website, the ministers reaffirmed the bloc’s vital role as a representative voice for the Global South and reiterated their support for reforming the United Nations, especially advocating for greater representation of developing nations on the UN Security Council.
On economic matters, the ministers stressed the importance of increasing the use of national currencies in transactions between member states and called for the development of independent payment platforms. They acknowledged the significance of the New Development Bank (NDB) as a financial pillar for emerging economies, expressed support for its continued expansion, and welcomed the re-election of Dilma Rousseff as its president.
Artificial intelligence was also a key topic of discussion, with the ministers highlighting its role in inclusive development. They committed to supporting developing countries in leveraging AI’s benefits and welcomed progress in efforts to establish regulatory frameworks for the data economy.
Condemning all forms of terrorism, the ministers specifically referenced the deadly April 22 attack in India, which left at least 26 people dead. They pledged deeper cooperation among BRICS nations in counterterrorism efforts and endorsed the continued work of the bloc’s specialised working group on the matter. They also urged the prompt adoption of the long-awaited United Nations Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Further discussions included the peaceful use of outer space, the establishment of a secure and reliable ICT environment, and the need to combat cybercrime. The ministers advocated for agreed international norms governing cyberspace, the free flow of reliable information, and improved digital literacy.
Reforms to the global financial system were another point of emphasis, with ministers recognising the relevance of the G20 and highlighting the necessity of strengthening BRICS institutions. They proposed the creation of a shared database to enhance information access within the bloc.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a press briefing, noted that BRICS will continue to engage constructively with partner countries through diverse collaborative formats. The ministers also expressed their full support for Brazil’s current chairmanship and stressed the increasing significance of the “world majority” in tackling global challenges and shaping international solutions.
