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The 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, concluded with the adoption of the Kazan Declaration, a comprehensive document outlining key areas of cooperation and the bloc's unified stance on global issues. The summit, held under the theme "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security," saw leaders from over 20 nations, including China, India, UAE, and Iran, engage in productive discussions on various topics such as strengthening multilateralism, countering terrorism, promoting economic growth, and addressing the concerns of the Global South.
The 43-page Kazan Declaration highlights the importance of BRICS solidarity and strategic partnerships, emphasizing the commitment to fostering peace, ensuring a fairer international order, and promoting sustainable development. The leaders reaffirmed their dedication to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and collaboration, focusing on three pillars of cooperation: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people.
Addressing pressing international conflicts, the declaration emphasizes the need for peaceful resolutions through diplomacy, urging adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and welcoming mediation efforts. The leaders expressed concern over the escalating humanitarian crises in Palestine, the Middle East, and Southern Lebanon, calling for a cessation of violence and stressing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.
The summit underscored the importance of the G20 in global decision-making, recognizing its role in fostering consensus and achieving results-oriented outcomes. The BRICS nations reiterated their commitment to improving global governance by advocating for a more responsive and representative multilateral system, including reforms to the international financial architecture and promoting inclusive growth.
A key highlight of the summit was the agreement to strengthen trade and financial settlements in local currencies. The declaration welcomed the use of local currencies in BRICS financial transactions and supported the exploration of an independent cross-border settlement infrastructure. The leaders recognized the benefits of faster, low-cost, and more efficient cross-border payment instruments, emphasizing the importance of minimizing trade barriers and non-discriminatory access.
Looking ahead, the BRICS nations agreed to explore initiatives to further integrate their economies, such as establishing a BRICS Grain Exchange and studying the feasibility of a BRICS Cross-Border Payment System and BRICS (Re)Insurance Company. The summit also endorsed the creation of a BRICS Partner Country category, welcoming new member countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The declaration emphasizes the importance of strengthening health systems through collaboration, supporting initiatives such as the BRICS R&D Vaccine Center, the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for preventing infectious diseases, and the BRICS TB Research Network. The leaders also recognized the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and welcomed the outcomes of the 79th UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR, noting the timeliness of the first BRICS Conference on AMR held in May 2024.
India's initiative to create an International Big Cats Alliance received recognition, with BRICS countries pledging to collaborate on preserving endangered species. As BRICS continues to expand its partnerships with the Global South, the bloc aims to strengthen its influence in global governance and provide a platform for emerging markets and developing countries to work together.
The leaders expressed optimism about the future of BRICS cooperation, emphasizing that ongoing collaboration will be key to addressing global challenges and fostering a more just and equitable world order. The Kazan Declaration serves as a roadmap for the BRICS bloc's continued commitment to multilateralism, economic cooperation, and sustainable development, reinforcing its position as a significant player in global affairs.