This Wednesday, the heads of state and government representatives of the BRICS issued their final declaration, after the XVI Summit of the multipolar bloc held in the Russian city of Kazan, where they highlighted the strengthening of multilateralism and financial cooperation for a fairer world.
The document consists of a preamble and four sections with 134 points on 43 pages. The first two sections mention “strengthening multilateralism for a more just and democratic world order” and “strengthening cooperation for global and regional stability and security.”
These are followed by “deepening financial and economic cooperation for equitable global development” and “expanding humanitarian exchanges for socio-economic development.”
In this regard, Russian President and host of the event Vladimir Putin noted that the final declaration contains general assessments of world affairs, summarizes the results of the Russian presidency of the group and defines the benchmarks for long-term interaction.
Representatives of the association noted “the emergence of new centres of power, political decision-making and economic growth, which can lay the foundations for a more just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order.”
The agency TASS collected the main points:
- The BRICS countries supported the prevention of an arms race in space and also called for the development of a document on space security.
- States called for strengthening the non-proliferation regime and a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
- They are also concerned about the escalation in the Middle East and condemned the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy and the bombing of pagers in Lebanon.
- The leaders stressed the need for all parties to renew the Iran nuclear deal.
- BRICS countries recalled their national positions on the conflict in Ukraine and took note of mediation proposals.
- The federated states highly appreciate the presidency of the association by the Russian Federation.
- BRICS countries agreed to simplify trade procedures between states.
- Leaders call for the prompt finalization and adoption within the UN of a comprehensive convention on combating international terrorism.
- They noted progress in the implementation of joint projects in the fields of biomedicine, green energy, space sciences and polar research.
- The BRICS countries have called for reform of the Bretton Woods institutions by increasing the contribution of developing countries to the global economy.
- The leaders agreed to exchange best practices in the field of protection of intellectual property rights.
- The BRICS countries are deeply concerned about the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on the global economy and other areas.
- They are concerned about conflicts in different regions of the world and are committed to their peaceful resolution and the elimination of their root causes.
- BRICS countries hope to further strengthen practical cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
- The leaders welcomed the proposals for “good offices” in relation to the Ukrainian agreement.
- BRICS countries welcome the creation of a new investment platform that will use the infrastructure of the New Development Bank. Leaders also support increasing the number of shareholder countries of the New Development Bank and accelerating the consideration of applications from BRICS countries.
- They recognize the legitimate and justified security concerns of all states.
- The BRICS countries support an open multilateral trading system with a central role for the WTO, with special treatment for developing countries. They agreed to jointly oppose unilateral protectionist measures that do not comply with WTO rules.
- Precious metals invoicing to be increased in line with Kimberley Process standards.
- Leaders oppose politicization of cooperation in the fight against transnational crime.
- BRICS countries recognise the enormous potential of ICTs to bridge the digital divide for socio-economic growth and development. They call for a balanced approach to the development and security of ICT products and systems.
- The leaders are seeking to broaden dialogue in the area of technology export controls.
- The BRICS countries called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages without preconditions.
- The leaders warned that the escalation in Gaza is fraught with global mediation and called on the parties to the conflict to show restraint.
- They also condemned Israeli attacks on humanitarian aid stations and infrastructure in Palestine.
- BRICS will explore the creation of a unified transport platform to ensure multimodal logistics between the countries of the association.
- The leaders called for unconditional respect for Syria's sovereignty and the protection of its territorial integrity.
- BRICS countries to expand cooperation in the field of remote sensing satellites
- They intend to expand cooperation in the field of competition law.
- The BRICS countries firmly oppose any form of discrimination in the conduct of sports competitions.
- The states supported the “modalities of partner country status” and welcomed the interest of other countries in unification.
- BRICS countries support the Russian Federation's initiative to create a Grain Exchange that will cover other agricultural sectors in the future.
- The leaders supported the admission of the State of Palestine to the UN within the 1967 borders.
- The BRICS countries will continue to develop interparliamentary interaction; the leaders also recognised the importance of dialogue between the association's political parties.
- The states agreed to transform the New Development Bank into a multilateral development bank for emerging market countries.
- BRICS countries agreed to step up financial cooperation amid geopolitical risks.
- Leaders are ready to coordinate to strengthen the role of the Global South and integrate its priorities into the G20 agenda.
- BRICS countries will continue to develop joint multilateral projects in the field of tourism and strengthen humanitarian ties.
- BRICS will promote trade in agricultural products; they must be protected from illegal restrictive measures.
- BRICS countries advocate for the UN to play a major role in global AI governance.
- States have indicated the need to reform the current international financial architecture to address financial challenges.
- BRICS countries have agreed to explore the possibility of creating an independent cross-border deposit and settlement infrastructure, Brics Clear.
- Leaders are counting on the adoption of a draft convention by the world organization to combat cybercrime at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
- The states supported the use of alternative currencies within the association's foreign exchange reserve pool.
- BRICS countries emphasize the importance of ensuring the integrity of information, its free flow and open access to reliable facts.
- BRICS countries condemn terrorist attacks against cross-border energy infrastructure facilities and call for an impartial investigation into them.
- BRICS leaders supported a comprehensive reform of the UN to make it more democratic, representative and effective.
- BRICS countries support further development of the BRICS Clean Rivers climate initiative.
- States oppose discriminatory protectionist measures adopted under the pretext of environmental concerns.
- The BRICS countries advocated a multipolar world order.
- States consider it necessary to strengthen cooperation in the development of vaccines and nuclear medicine projects; this contributes significantly to the development of medicine in the world as a whole.
- The BRICS countries highlighted the crucial role of women in the political and socio-economic development of states.
- They called for urgent financial resources and policies to address the problems of desertification and drought.
- The leaders called on developed countries to fulfil their obligations to help countries in need.
- BRICS members called on developed countries to provide efficient and easily accessible resources to developing countries for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Since January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have joined the group expanded by its founders: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, creating a bloc that represents more than 37% of the world's GDP and could come into conflict with other institutions such as the G7 and NATO.
