The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum concluded in New Delhi on Tuesday with the adoption of a Joint Declaration, reaffirming the role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in strengthening mutual understanding, building trust among nations, supporting the peaceful resolution of international disputes and promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
The declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the forum, which was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday. The Presiding Officers and representatives of the Parliaments of BRICS member countries convened in New Delhi on October 26–27 under the theme “Fostering Parliaments For People-Centric Development”.
The declaration reaffirmed the commitment of member countries to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-intervention in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. It also called for reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, to make global governance more representative and reflective of contemporary realities.
BRICS Parliaments Reaffirm Commitment to Global Cooperation
The declaration recognised inter-parliamentary cooperation as an important component of the BRICS cooperation framework and acknowledged the contributions of the eleven preceding meetings of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in strengthening dialogue and cooperation among member countries.
It also welcomed the constructive discussions during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on strengthening institutional resilience, harnessing digital technologies to address challenges faced by developing countries, promoting inclusive global governance, advancing sustainability and accelerating collective action to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The member countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the BRICS Strategic Partnership across its three pillars of cooperation: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Calls for UN Security Council Reform
The declaration stressed the urgency of reforming the current international peace and security architecture and supported comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council.
It called for a more just, equitable, democratic, representative, effective and efficient system that better reflects contemporary realities and the needs of the international community. In this regard, the declaration welcomed the statement of the BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026.
The member countries also reiterated their commitment to strengthening multilateralism and upholding international law, including the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. They underlined the central role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security, advancing sustainable development and promoting democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The declaration also called for strengthening BRICS interaction within international parliamentary forums, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), to amplify the voice of the Global South. It took note of Russia’s initiative to consider the idea of establishing a BRICS Plus geopolitical group within the IPU.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development and Climate Action
The member countries reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its people-centred goals and targets in a balanced and integrated manner, aligned with national policies and regulations.
The declaration identified the eradication of poverty in all its forms, including extreme poverty, as the most significant global challenge and a prerequisite for sustainable development. It also called for close cooperation among BRICS countries in shaping the global sustainable development agenda beyond 2030.
Recognising the urgency of addressing climate change, the countries called for intensified efforts through dialogue and international cooperation to implement nationally determined contributions (NDCs), strengthen mitigation and adaptation efforts, and promote just transition pathways.
The declaration also stressed that developed countries should provide additional, adequate, predictable and accessible financial resources, capacity-building support, and technology development and transfer to developing countries on mutually agreed terms for adaptation. These efforts should reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.
AI and Digital Technologies Identified as Key Areas
The declaration recognised the transformative potential of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
It called for the open, safe, secure, stable, equitably accessible, peaceful and interoperable use and development of ICTs while respecting the sovereignty and national security of each country.
The member countries also recognised AI’s potential to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development. They highlighted the importance of international cooperation to improve equitable access to AI resources, capacity building, knowledge and opportunities in accordance with national priorities and applicable laws.
The declaration emphasised the need to promote energy efficiency in AI systems, foster AI science and innovation, use AI for economic growth and social good, and mitigate potential risks. It also called for strengthening the digital sovereignty of BRICS member countries through data privacy and personal information security, alongside resilient national technological ecosystems.
The countries encouraged BRICS Parliaments to share best practices on deploying digital technologies and AI-enabled tools to strengthen parliamentary research, analysis, outreach, citizen interaction and feedback.
They also reiterated their commitment to universal and meaningful connectivity and encouraged collaborative efforts to deploy digital infrastructure, including digital public infrastructure, to promote economic development, social inclusion, improved public service delivery, resilience and innovation. The declaration noted the proposal to launch a digital public infrastructure repository for BRICS countries and pilot projects for digital public infrastructure solutions for digital transformation.
Condemns Terrorism, Calls for Zero Tolerance
The declaration strongly condemned all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed.
It condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured.
The member countries reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens. They called for zero tolerance for terrorism, rejected double standards in countering terrorism and stressed that those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice under relevant national and international law.
The declaration welcomed the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and its five Subgroups, based on the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan and the CTWG Position Paper. It also called for the expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.
The member countries further condemned violations of international humanitarian law, including deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, denial or obstruction of humanitarian access, and the targeting of humanitarian personnel.
Calls for Peace in Middle East/West Asia
The declaration expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/West Asia and called for maximum restraint and the avoidance of actions that could further aggravate the situation.
It urged the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
The countries encouraged greater efforts through dialogue and diplomacy towards a long-term understanding that would contribute to lasting peace, security and stability in the region. They also stressed the need to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with applicable international law.
The declaration reaffirmed support for the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution, with the two states living side by side in peace and security, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. It also affirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom and an independent, sovereign state.
Strengthening Cultural Exchanges and Parliamentary Engagement
The declaration reiterated the significance of BRICS cultural and people-to-people exchanges in fostering mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation among nations and peoples.
It welcomed people-to-people engagements in culture, sport, art, education, women and youth affairs under India’s Chairship. It also called for greater efforts to respect cultural diversity, value inheritance, innovation and creativity, and strengthen international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
The member countries recalled the adoption of the UNGA Resolution entitled “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations”.
On the 10th Anniversary of the BRICS Women’s Parliamentarians Forum, the declaration recalled the Jaipur Declaration of 2016, which called for institutionalising the meeting as an annual event to promote more inclusive inter-parliamentary deliberations.
It also encouraged stronger interaction through meetings of the Chairpersons of the International Affairs Committees of BRICS Parliaments to deepen mutual understanding and facilitate the exchange of experiences and legislative best practices.
The declaration further encouraged training, capacity building, knowledge sharing and collaboration among parliamentarians and their technical and legislative advisers to strengthen professional networking and inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Welcomes India’s BRICS Chairship and Looks Ahead to 2027
The member countries expressed support for India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. They congratulated India on successfully hosting the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, 2026, and welcomed the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders Declaration.
The declaration also welcomed the participation of partner countries in the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum and acknowledged their contributions to inter-parliamentary cooperation. It reaffirmed the commitment to an inclusive, mutually beneficial and development-oriented partnership with partner countries.
The member countries took note of Russia’s proposal to consider establishing an inter-parliamentary BRICS Working Group on Sport, in line with Paragraph 8 of the Protocol to the Memorandum of Understanding on the BRICS Parliamentary Forum of July 11, 2024. The proposed group could provide a platform for the voluntary exchange of experience and best practices in sport and physical education, in accordance with national laws and priorities.
The declaration congratulated the Parliament of India on successfully hosting the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum and expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Parliament and the people of India.
The member countries said they looked forward to reconvening in 2027 under China’s BRICS Chairship.
-PIB Inputs
