Chinese President Xi Jinping says Brics must lead on innovation, peace, and global governance and strengthen the voice of the Global South
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday described Brics as the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, calling on the grouping to play a greater role in shaping global governance.
Addressing the first session of the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi, Xi highlighted the group’s two-decade journey, saying Brics has expanded significantly and developed a comprehensive framework for cooperation.
Xi said Brics members have stood together through major global challenges, including the financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, while safeguarding the common interests of the Global South.
He said the world is undergoing profound transformation, with the Global South gaining strength and the move towards a multipolar world becoming unstoppable. At the same time, he warned of growing unilateralism, power politics and widening deficits in peace, development, security and governance.
Xi called on Brics countries to become pioneers in innovation-driven development, urging deeper cooperation in artificial intelligence, open-source development and industrial and supply chains. China, he said, has proposed an initiative to promote AI-driven new industrialisation among Brics countries.
On global security, Xi urged members to oppose bloc confrontation and respect national sovereignty, while calling for a constructive Brics role in resolving conflicts and tensions, including in the West Asia and Gulf region.
He also pushed for stronger cooperation in culture, tourism, education and youth exchanges, alongside greater dialogue among civilisations.
More from BusinessOn global governance, Xi called for a more just and equitable international system, greater representation for developing countries and stronger support for the United Nations. He also backed a multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organization and opposed protectionism.
China will take over the rotating Brics chairmanship and host the 19th Brics Summit in 2027. Xi said Beijing is ready to work with all members to build consensus and open what he called Brics’ third “golden decade”.
