BRICS leaders have reiterated their call for urgent and comprehensive reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, effective, and reflective of contemporary global realities. The bloc also renewed its support for India and Brazil to assume greater roles within the UN system.
In a joint declaration issued at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the member nations — including permanent UNSC members China and Russia — backed the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a more prominent role in global governance, particularly within the UN Security Council.
“We reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council… to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s membership,” the declaration read. It emphasized the need for greater participation by countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, highlighting the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration as reference points for African representation.
China and Russia explicitly restated their support for India and Brazil’s bid for expanded roles in the UN system, acknowledging their growing influence and leadership in the Global South.
The BRICS nations also raised serious concerns over the rise in unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that disrupt global trade and contravene World Trade Organization (WTO) norms. They criticized protectionist policies disguised under environmental pretexts, warning that such actions threaten global supply chains and economic stability.
“We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures… and reaffirm our support for a fair, inclusive, rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core,” the leaders stated. They also reiterated their call for reforming the WTO and restoring its two-tier binding dispute settlement system.
The declaration condemned unilateral coercive measures and sanctions imposed outside the framework of the UN Security Council, stating that such actions violate international law and harm human rights, development, and food security, especially in vulnerable states.
On global peace and security, the BRICS leaders expressed concern over growing international polarization and fragmentation, as well as rising military expenditures at the expense of developmental financing. They called for diplomatic, multilateral solutions to ongoing conflicts and warned against conflating climate issues with security agendas.
The leaders also highlighted the need to amplify the voice of the Global South, emphasizing equitable development, poverty eradication, sustainable growth, and fair climate action. The summit welcomed new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, and reaffirmed BRICS’ commitment to inclusive and sustainable global governance under Brazil’s 2025 Chairship theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”