BRICS member countries have adopted the New Delhi Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism, a more representative global order and stronger cooperation among the expanded grouping.
The declaration, adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India, said member countries would strengthen cooperation across the bloc’s three pillars — political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation.
BRICS leaders reiterated their commitment to the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus, while calling for a more representative and equitable international system.
The grouping also reaffirmed its support for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including the UN Security Council, with the stated objective of making global institutions more democratic, representative, effective and efficient.
The declaration said BRICS members would work to strengthen multilateralism and multipolarity, uphold international law and the UN Charter, and recognise the central role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security, promoting sustainable development and advancing international cooperation.
The declaration also addressed outer space, with BRICS countries stressing that space systems and advances in space science and technology should be used for peaceful purposes.
The members reaffirmed support for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space, known as PAROS, as well as the weaponisation of space and threats or use of force against space objects.
BRICS members backed negotiations toward a relevant multilateral legal instrument on the issue and cited the updated draft treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects, submitted to the Conference on Disarmament in 2014, as an important step.
The declaration also recognised the potential role of transparency and confidence-building measures, alongside universally agreed norms, rules and principles, in contributing to the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
BRICS members further said they would engage constructively in discussions through an Open-Ended Working Group at the UN General Assembly aimed at ensuring coherent, inclusive and effective consideration of the issue.
The bloc commended India for hosting the Outreach/BRICS Plus Dialogue segment of the summit, saying it would provide fresh momentum for strengthening international cooperation and solidarity.
The New Delhi Declaration comes as BRICS seeks to deepen strategic coordination among its expanded membership while promoting peace, sustainable development and more inclusive global economic growth.
