Archive · 12 Sep 2026
BRICS Reaches Draft Declaration Ahead of New Delhi Summit
BRICS is a group of emerging economies that is holding a summit in New Delhi.
Its negotiators have agreed on a statement for the leaders to approve.
The statement is expected to criticize countries that start wars alone, but it may not name any country.
Iran and the United Arab Emirates disagreed about the Middle East conflict.
Those disagreements made it difficult for BRICS to agree on a statement earlier this year.
Reaching a deal lets the group show that its members can work together.
BRICS also wants more influence over organizations such as the World Bank, IMF and WTO.
The summit will test whether the group can turn its large population and economy into greater global influence.
BRICS negotiators agreed on a joint declaration ahead of the leaders’ summit in New Delhi on September 12.
The declaration is expected to condemn unilateral war without naming a specific country, with leaders set to approve it.
Agreement followed tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates over the Middle East conflict.
BRICS is seeking greater influence over global rules and reforms to the World Bank, IMF and WTO.
The group represents more than 40% of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of the global economy.
- Who
- BRICS member countries and their leaders, including representatives of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
- What
- Negotiators agreed on a joint declaration for leaders to approve at the BRICS summit.
- When
- The leaders’ summit is scheduled for Saturday, September 12; the year is not specified.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To demonstrate unity, strengthen BRICS’s international influence, support institutional reforms and expand trade cooperation.
Supporters of BRICS Unity
Skeptics of BRICS Cohesion
Value of the declaration
Supporters of BRICS Unity
Reaching consensus would show that BRICS can accommodate sharply different national interests and present a stronger collective voice.
Skeptics of BRICS Cohesion
Experts cited in the article say the statement is unlikely to change the current geopolitical landscape.
Iran-United Arab Emirates tensions
Supporters of BRICS Unity
Agreement despite the divide suggests members have prioritized unity and solidarity among emerging economies.
Skeptics of BRICS Cohesion
The dispute prevented BRICS foreign ministers from issuing a joint statement in May and exposed significant internal divisions.
Global influence
Supporters of BRICS Unity
A unified BRICS can press for reforms to institutions viewed by some members as dominated by Western powers.
Skeptics of BRICS Cohesion
The group’s differing geopolitical interests may make it difficult to translate its economic and demographic weight into sustained collective influence.
- Declaration
- The agreed document is expected to condemn unilateral war without naming a specific country.
- Expected approval
- BRICS leaders are expected to give the declaration final approval at the summit.
- Main disagreement
- Tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates over the Middle East conflict challenged consensus.
- Membership
- BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
- Population share
- BRICS members account for more than 40% of the world’s population.
- Economic share
- The group represents almost one-quarter of the global economy.
- Institutions targeted for reform
- BRICS is seeking changes to the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization.