The 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6–7, 2025, under the chairship of Brazil. The theme was “Strengthening global south cooperation for a more inclusive and sustainable governance”. The summit assumed particular significance as it was the first such gathering of the expanded 11-member bloc, including the participation of Indonesia as a full member for the first time. Indonesia officially joined the BRICS in January 2025. It was also the first BRICS summit which was convened during the second tenure of the US President Donald Trump.
The Rio Summit produced a comprehensive declaration, addressing major contemporary global challenges across the political-security, economic and financial, and people-to-people pillars of BRICS cooperation. The declaration reflected the strong views of the Global South, reaffirmed the collective commitment to multilateralism, and sought to advance a multipolar world order rooted in inclusiveness, equity, and sustainable growth.
Some Highlights
Some of the highlights of the Declaration are as follows:
BRICS, G20, and Global Economic Governance The leaders underscored the key role of the G20 as the premier global forum for international economic cooperation, providing a vital platform for dialogue between developed and emerging economies on an equal and mutually beneficial footing. They recognised the importance of the continued and productive functioning of the G20 based on consensus and result-oriented outcomes. Strong support was reiterated for the South African presidency of the G20 and the successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025.
The BRICS countries reaffirmed their willingness to coordinate positions to enhance inclusiveness and amplify the voice of the Global South in global economic governance so that it adequately reflects the rising weight of emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) in the global economy. In this context, the strengthening of EMDE representation in the G20 through the accession of the African Union during India’s presidency in 2023 and the invitation of the New Development Bank during the Brazilian and South African presidencies were welcomed.
Debt Vulnerabilities and International Financial Architecture The declaration noted that high debt levels in some countries have reduced fiscal space required to address the development challenges aggravated by spillover effects from external shocks, particularly fluctuations in financial and monetary policies in advanced economies. High interest rates and tighter financing conditions were identified as factors worsening debt vulnerabilities.
The leaders emphasised the need to address the international debt in a holistic manner to support economic recovery and sustainable development, taking into account national laws and procedures, alongside sustainable external debt and fiscal prudence. The predictable, orderly, timely, and coordinated implementation of the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment, with the participation of official bilateral creditors, private creditors, and multilateral development banks (MDBs), was recognised as an important instrument to address the debt vulnerabilities of low- and middle-income countries.
Data Governance, Digital Economy, and E-Commerce Recognising the central role of data as a catalyst for innovation-driven development and informed public policy, the leaders affirmed the need for a common and principle-based interoperable framework on data governance. This includes respect for national data sovereignty, mutually agreed cross-border data flows, ethical use of data, protection of personal information, and equitable distribution of data-related benefits.
A major outcome of the summit was the adoption of the BRICS Data Economy Governance Understanding, welcomed as a strategic roadmap to promote the digitalisation of industry and services and the expansion of intra-BRICS trade. The leaders also recognised digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a key enabler of this transformation, particularly for promoting financial inclusion and improving service delivery.
E-commerce was emphasised as an important driver of global economic growth, fostering international trade, foreign investment flows, and innovation. The BRICS countries resolved to enhance trust in e-commerce by strengthening consumer rights protection, exploring online dispute resolution tools, improving cooperation on digital signatures and legal frameworks, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to access global markets.
Trade, SEZs, and Industrial Cooperation The continued effectiveness of the special economic zones (SEZs) as mechanisms for trade and industrial cooperation was recognised. SEZs were acknowledged for facilitating manufacturing, high-technology sectors, IT and IT-enabled services, tourism, transport infrastructure, and technology commercialisation. They were further recognised as tools to stimulate economic growth and create employment, particularly in high-tech and infrastructure sectors.
Food Security, Agriculture, and Rural Development The leaders recognised that BRICS countries are key players in global food production and bear a critical responsibility for enhancing the agricultural productivity, fostering sustainability, and ensuring food security and nutrition worldwide. They acknowledged family farmers, including smallholders, pastoralists, small-scale fishers, indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and youth as essential stakeholders of agriculture and food systems.
The importance of mechanisation, digital innovation, and technological solutions in small-scale agriculture to accelerate the sustainable transition, productivity income, and resilience was highlighted.
Cooperation on fertilisers, national food reserve systems, reduction of food loss and waste, and animal and plant health through unified electronic certification systems was also emphasised. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a fair agricultural trading system and rules-based trade, ensuring uninterrupted flows of food and essential agricultural inputs. Central to this effort was the proposal of independent and fair agricultural price indicators to protect national markets from external inference and speculation, a strategic priority first formalised in BRICS Summit in Kazan in 2020s and reaffirmed in Rio de Janerio in 2025.
In line with these trade goals, the leaders promoted the BRICS SEZ Cooperation Framework to help micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) to sell their products globally by sharing experiences in managing industrial hubs and special trade zones.
Competition Policy, Standards, and Public Finance Cooperation The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation in competition law and policy to combat anticompetitive cross-border practices and promote healthy inclusive markets. The role of the BRICS International Competition Law and Policy Centre was emphasised as a crucial hub for research and knowledge-sharing. The outcomes of IX BRICS International Competition Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2025, were welcomed as a vital move towards harmonising regulatory approaches in digital markets and the pharmaceutical sector.
The adoption of the Brasilia Declaration on standardisation, along with the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Standardisation, was commended. This agreement is intended to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods and services.
Enhanced cooperation among supreme audit institutions, statistical agencies, and tax authorities was also emphasised. Moreover, support was expressed for the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (UNFCITC) and for customs cooperation initiatives, including smart customs and BRICS customs centres of excellence.
Science, Technology, Innovation, and Intellectual Property The completion of 10 years of cooperation in science, technology, and innovation since the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding was celebrated. The BRICS Action Plan for Innovation 2025–30, new joint research calls and collaborative projects in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and industrial innovation were welcomed. The importance of youth participation through the Young Scientists Forum and Young Innovators Prize was reaffirmed. Cooperation in deep-sea research, humanities, and social sciences were also highlighted.
Intellectual property cooperation under IP BRICS was strengthened, with support for World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties and collaboration on IP issues related to artificial intelligence and traditional knowledge.
Tourism, Transport, and Connectivity The summit acknowledged the immense potential of BRICS countries in sustainable and resilient tourism, strengthened by membership expansion. Regional tourism strategies, digital nomad initiative, and sustainable tourism practices were welcomed. In transport cooperation, emphasis was placed on sustainable infrastructure, urban public transport, zero- and low-emission vehicles, decarbonisation of aviation, and maritime transport and logistics integration.
Climate Change and Sustainable Development The leaders reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to multilateralism and to the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, emphasising on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. They stressed that climate action must be implemented in context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
A strong support was expressed for COP30, held in Belem, Brazil, in November 2025, as a critical moment for Global South leadership on climate action. India’s candidacy to host COP33 in 2028 was welcomed. The BRICS Climate Leadership Agenda and the Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance were adopted to demonstrate the collective leadership.
The rejection of unilateral and discriminatory protectionist measures, such as carbon border adjustment mechanism, was reiterated. Cooperation on carbon markets, climate research, biodiversity conservation, forest management, and energy transitions was emphasised. The continued role of fossil fuels for the emerging economies, alongside just and inclusive energy transitions, was also acknowledged.
Environmental Protection and Natural Resources The declaration addressed issues such as desertification, land degradation, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and forest conservation. Support was expressed for reforms in the Global Environment Facility and for enhanced financial and technological support to developing countries. The Tropical Forest Forever Facility, the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, and India’s initiative for an international Big Cats Alliance were welcomed.
Human, Social, and Cultural Development The summit reinforced commitments to human rights, democracy, gender equality, youth development, health cooperation, education, cultural exchange, sports cooperation, employment, and disaster risk reduction. Initiatives, such as the Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases, the BRICS Network University, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Cooperation Alliance, and people-to-people mechanisms were highlighted as key pillars of inclusive development.
India at the 17th BRICS Summit
The summit was particularly significant for India, as the Rio Declaration reflected several of its long-standing priorities. India welcomed the outcomes as supportive of Global South cooperation, technological collaboration, and reforms in global governance and finance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated a vision for enhanced BRICS support for the legitimate aspirations of India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including the Security Council, which marked an important diplomatic development.
The summit strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April 2025 and reaffirmed zero tolerance for terrorism, rejecting double standards, and emphasising the need to combat cross-border terrorism and terror financing. This aligned closely with India’s core security concerns.
India’s emphasis on food and fertiliser security was reflected in the declaration’s focus on agricultural cooperation, supply chain resilience, and emergency response mechanisms. On climate change, India’s advocacy for climate finance, technology transfer, and differentiated responsibilities found resonance.
In the digital domain, India’s approach to secure interoperable digital public infrastructure and inclusive artificial intelligence governance were echoed. On energy security, recognition of the continued role of fossil fuels alongside just and technology-neutral energy transitions reflected India’s balanced stance.
While the declaration was widely viewed as comprehensive and positive for India, some assessments noted that India’s broader strategic engagements, including its ties with the Western partners, highlight the complexity of balancing its role as a leading voice of the Global South with strategic flexibility. With India set to assume the BRICS chairship in 2026, expectations are high that it will translate the extensive commitments of the Rio Declaration into concrete outcome-oriented cooperation.
Way forward
The 17th BRICS Summit reaffirmed the grouping’s relevance as an influential platform for Global South cooperation in an evolving multipolar world. While reiterating long-standing positions, the summit also reflected the growing economic weight, political diversity, and collective aspirations of an expanded BRICS. The central challenge lies in moving beyond declaratory consensus towards effective, time-bound implementation. As BRICS continues to evolve institutionally and thematically, the Rio outcomes underscore both its promise of BRICS as an agent of global rebalancing and its responsibility in shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and development-oriented global order.
About BRICS
BRICS is a group consisting of eleven major emerging economies representing nearly half of the world’s population, around 40 per cent of the global GDP, and over a quarter of the global trade. The idea originated in 2001 when the term BRIC was coined by Goldman Sachs to highlight the economic potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The group took institutional shape in 2006 and held its first summit in 2009, later expanding to include South Africa in 2011. Further expansion in 2024 and 2025 brought new members and partner countries, significantly enhancing BRICS’ global footprint. BRICS functions through regular consultations among leaders and ministers and through practical cooperation across sectors, such as trade, finance, health, science, agriculture, and energy. Over time, it has emerged as an important platform for advancing Global South cooperation and for advocating reforms in global governance structures to better reflect the contemporary economic and political realities.
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