Archive · 12 Sep 2026
BRICS Calls for UN Reform, Greater Global South Representation
BRICS is a group of countries that wants the United Nations to represent the world more fairly.
At its summit in New Delhi, it supported major changes to the United Nations and its Security Council.
BRICS said developing countries should have a stronger voice in important global decisions.
It also said women should have more opportunities to lead international organizations.
The group pointed out that no woman has ever been the United Nations Secretary-General.
BRICS also noted that relatively few leaders of the post have come from Africa, Asia, or Latin America and the Caribbean.
António Guterres is the current Secretary-General.
His second term ends in 2026, and a new leader is expected to begin in 2027.
The BRICS Delhi Declaration called for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council.
BRICS urged greater representation for developing countries, emerging economies and Least Developed Countries in global decision-making.
The declaration highlighted that no woman has ever been elected United Nations Secretary-General.
BRICS called for full, equal and meaningful participation by women in peace, security and international leadership roles.
António Guterres’s second term ends on December 31, 2026, with his successor expected to take office on January 1, 2027.
- Who
- BRICS, the United Nations and Secretary-General António Guterres are central to the issue.
- What
- BRICS adopted a declaration supporting United Nations and Security Council reform, greater Global South representation and increased participation by women.
- When
- The declaration was adopted on the opening day of the two-day 18th BRICS Summit; Guterres’s second term ends on December 31, 2026.
- Where
- The declaration was adopted at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- BRICS said global governance should become more democratic, representative, effective, inclusive and accountable.
- Declaration
- The New Delhi Declaration was adopted unanimously on the opening day of the 18th BRICS Summit.
- UN leadership
- No woman has ever been elected United Nations Secretary-General.
- Current Secretary-General
- António Guterres has served as United Nations Secretary-General since January 2017.
- End of current term
- Guterres’s second term ends on December 31, 2026.
- Expected succession
- The next United Nations Secretary-General is expected to take office on January 1, 2027.
- Security Council reform
- BRICS called for greater representation of developing countries, particularly from Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Senior appointments
- BRICS called for transparent and inclusive selections and opposed a monopoly on senior United Nations posts by any state or group of states.
