BRICS NO RIO: Declaration of the Summit Moths New Architecture of Global Governance

The Rio de Janeiro Declaration, approved on Sunday (6) at the 17th BRICS Leaders Summit, consolidates a strategic inflection: the expanded bloc emerges as an articulating pole of a more just, inclusive and sustainable global governance. Under the Brazilian presidency, the meeting – held in Rio – strengthened the political coordination between the countries of the Global South and launched a propositional agenda with concrete results in areas such as climate, health, technology, finance and commerce.

With the motto “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for more inclusive and sustainable governance,” the summit reaffirms BRICS as a political heir to the Bandung Conference and the now expanded and institutionally more robust movement. In the midst of the UN credibility crisis and the fragmentation of multilateral institutions, the block acts as a catalyst for reforms and as an alternative forum of convergence between developing countries.

Reform of Global Governance: Commitment to Inclusive Multilateralism

The main message of the statement is clear: the current international system is dysfunctional, anachronistic and excluding. In response, leaders reiterate the urgency of reforming the UN Security Council, with explicit support from China and Russia to the expansion of the presence of Brazil and India as permanent members. They also reaffirm the need to revise the governance of international financial institutions, such as the IMF and the World Bank, with increased participation of developing countries.

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BRICS powers reject unilateral coercive measures and extraterritorial sanctions, denouncing their illegality and impact on global trade. On the other hand, they reaffirm support to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and celebrate documents such as the mark on Sustainable Trade and Development and the WTO reform declaration, reflecting the bloc’s bet on a balanced multilateral trade.

Climate, Health and AI: South Global Solutions for Global Problems

The summit also produced three innovative thematic statements, signed by all members and endorsed by Malaysia and Bolivia:

• The Marco Declaration on Climate Finance, which proposes its own Green Financing Mechanisms, such as the Tropical Forest Food Forever (TFFF), and strategies for mobilization of resources by 2030;

• The Declaration on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, which marks the entry of the Global South in the International Regulatory Debate, highlighting topics such as data access, digital sovereignty and fair competition;

• The partnership for the elimination of socially determined diseases, which connects inequality, poverty and health in an integrated strategy, centered on equity and social justice.

The strengthening of WHO as a multilateral health authority, as well as the consolidation of its own networks – such as the BRICS Vaccines P&D Center and the BRICS Tuberculosis Research Network – reflects the block’s strategy to build its own global response capabilities.

Financial and technological cooperation: from reinsurance to digital sovereignty

At the financial front, the Rio Declaration advances in the debate on the use of local currencies in intra-bric trade and interoperability between financial systems. A new project for the creation of a multilateral guarantee initiative (GMB) and the development of reinsurance solutions have been launched as priorities for the coming years.

Also read: BRICS closes pacts in AI, climate and health with Brazilian leadership

In the area of ​​Science, Technology and Innovation (CTI), we highlight the launch of the BRICS Action Plan for Innovation 2025–2030 and the proposal to establish a network of high-speed communication submarines between group countries, increasing digital autonomy and information security.

Agriculture, Hunger and Degraded Lands: Alliance for Social and Environmental Justice

In the area of ​​development, BRICS has established its commitment to the global alliance against hunger and poverty and launched a partnership for restoration of land, integrating food security, environmental sustainability and combating exclusion. Agriculture, fishing and aquaculture appear as strategic vectors to eradicate poverty, foster rural development and face poor nutrition.

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These initiatives complement the proposal for reconstruction of own productive capabilities in key sectors to the global south amid growing uncertainty in international markets.

Social participation and institutional strengthening: BRICS opens to civil society

For the first time, the summit gave the BRICS Civil Council, as well as traditional business, union, academic and parliamentary forums. The report delivered to leaders and the progressive integration of new members and partner countries were cited as signs of institutional maturity. The document highlights the Brazilian effort to democratize and decentralize the decision processes of the bloc, with more than 200 technical meetings involving 30 ministries and agencies throughout the year.

BRICS as a vector of the new order: between ambition and urgency

The Rio de Janeiro statement is not just a diplomatic compendium, but a global southern strategic platform to reform the world order. In times of climate crisis, armed conflicts, institutional fragmentation and digital threats, the BRICS bet on building a new multilateralism, founded on cooperation, equity and sovereignty.

Also read: BRICS Summit reinforces Brazil’s prominent role on the world scenario

The Brazilian presidency, which extends until the end of 2025, promises to continue the commitments made, consolidating the BRICS as one of the main axes of the transition to a multipolar world. In a scenario of global North Paralisia, the south takes the lead.