By Johnathan Paoli
BRICS leaders have called for a sweeping overhaul of the global order, demanding greater representation for developing countries in institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and warning against unilateral military and economic action.
The call was contained in the New Delhi Declaration adopted unanimously by leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, as the expanded bloc positioned itself as a stronger voice for the Global South.
“Recognising the 2023 Johannesburg-II Leaders’ Declaration, we reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient,” the declaration said.
The leaders said reform should include increasing the representation of developing countries in the UN’s decision-making structures, particularly countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The declaration specifically recognised Africa’s long-standing demands for greater representation through the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
China and Russia also reaffirmed their support for Brazil and India playing greater roles in the United Nations and Security Council.
The push comes as BRICS seeks to consolidate its identity as a grouping representing emerging and developing economies, with members arguing that institutions created under an earlier global balance of power no longer reflect today’s realities.
The declaration also highlighted another imbalance at the top of the UN: no woman has ever been elected secretary-general.
It noted that only one national from Latin America and the Caribbean, and only two nationals each from Africa and Asia, have occupied the position.
BRICS leaders said developing countries should strengthen dialogue among themselves to advance a fairer global governance system, while committing the bloc to voicing the concerns of the Global South in international forums.
The leaders also backed efforts to tackle inequality, describing poverty as the greatest global challenge and arguing that inequality within and among countries lies at the root of many of the world’s problems.
They took note of a proposal by South Africa and Brazil to establish an international panel on inequality, signalling an attempt to push inequality higher up the global political agenda.
The declaration was equally pointed on international security, amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East and wider concerns about global military spending and the risk of nuclear confrontation.
BRICS called for diplomatic conflict prevention and the peaceful resolution of disputes, while expressing deep concern about the escalation in West Asia.
It urged maximum restraint and stressed the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, while reaffirming respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The bloc also criticised the use of unilateral economic measures, including sanctions and tariffs, arguing that such actions undermine the multilateral system.
“Unilateral coercive measures are contrary to international law and have wide-ranging negative impacts on human rights, development and humanitarian conditions,” the declaration said.
On trade, BRICS said the multilateral trading system was at a crossroads and backed reform of the World Trade Organisation.
The bloc called for the immediate restoration of a fully functioning two-tier WTO dispute settlement system and criticised unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures.
The leaders also placed financial cooperation high on the agenda, backing greater use of local currencies and cross-border payment mechanisms as part of efforts to strengthen economic resilience.
They reaffirmed the BRICS Economic Partnership 2030 and highlighted the need to deepen cooperation on supply chains, digitalisation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The declaration further identified illicit financial flows, money laundering, terrorism financing, firearms trafficking, human trafficking, drug proceeds and organised scam networks as areas requiring stronger international cooperation.
Climate change and the financial pressures facing developing economies were also prominent, with BRICS saying emerging and developing countries bear a disproportionate burden from climate change.
The bloc reaffirmed its support for climate finance and adaptation measures, while highlighting the importance of financial mechanisms capable of shielding developing economies from external shocks.
The summit also marked the formal handover of the BRICS chairmanship.
The leaders commended India for its 2026 chairmanship and confirmed that China would assume the chair in 2027, with the 19th BRICS Summit to be held in China.
The declaration comes as BRICS continues to expand beyond its original membership and seeks to translate its growing economic weight into greater influence over the rules governing global finance, trade, security and diplomacy.
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