BRICS Pushes for Global Governance Reforms, Bigger Role for Developing Countries

New Delhi, India | BRICS leaders have called for a fundamental reshaping of the global political and economic system, demanding greater representation for developing countries while committing to deeper cooperation in trade, finance, technology, climate change, energy, food security and infrastructure. The call is contained in the BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026, adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.

The summit brought together the bloc’s 11 members and partner countries from across the Global South. At the heart of the declaration is the argument that institutions governing the international system no longer adequately reflect the economic and political realities of the 21st century. BRICS says developing and emerging economies must have a greater voice in decisions made by institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Africa Demands a Bigger Place at the Table For Africa, one of the most significant elements of the declaration is BRICS’ recognition of the continent’s long-standing demand for greater representation in global decision-making. The declaration recognises the legitimate aspirations of African countries as expressed through the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, while calling for reform of the United Nations Security Council.

BRICS says reform should increase the representation of developing countries and give the Global South a stronger voice in international affairs. China and Russia, which hold permanent seats on the Security Council, also reiterated their support for Brazil and India playing a greater role in the United Nations, including the Security Council. The bloc links the push for reform to the changing balance of the global economy, arguing that the growing economic weight of emerging and developing countries should be reflected in international institutions.

BRICS also wants developing countries to have greater influence over institutions that shape global finance. The leaders renewed calls for reforms of the IMF and World Bank, including changes to voting shares and governance structures to address what they describe as the historical under-representation of developing countries. On the IMF, BRICS is calling for quota increases to take effect and for meaningful quota realignment under the next review, with voting power better reflecting countries’ positions in the global economy.

The bloc also says the interests of the poorest countries must be protected and argues that financial contributions should not be the sole determinant of a country’s voting power. Similarly, BRICS supports a realignment of World Bank shareholding to increase the voice and representation of developing countries. A Push for Fairer Global Trade Trade is another major pillar of the declaration. BRICS reaffirmed its support for a stronger, open, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The bloc wants the WTO dispute settlement system restored to full functionality and calls for the appointment of new members to its Appellate Body. The declaration also stresses the need to protect developing countries, particularly least-developed countries, through special and differential treatment. BRICS further calls for greater participation by developing countries in higher-value manufacturing and production instead of remaining concentrated at the lower end of global supply chains.

It says this should be achieved through investment, technology transfer, technical cooperation and stronger productive capacity. Focus on African Industrialisation The declaration could have particular significance for African economies seeking to move beyond the export of raw materials. BRICS is calling for developing countries to gain greater access to higher-value segments of global manufacturing and production. The bloc also supports strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises by improving access to affordable finance, trade finance and global value chains.

Among the proposals is an invoice-discounting mechanism that would allow eligible businesses to unlock working capital from unpaid invoices. BRICS is also promoting the digitalisation of trade documentation and greater cooperation around Special Economic Zones. For African economies, the broader message is clear: move beyond exporting commodities towards processing, manufacturing and participation in higher-value global production.

This is particularly relevant for countries endowed with critical minerals and other natural resources, where greater domestic processing could create jobs, increase export earnings and support industrial development. Technology and Artificial Intelligence Technology occupies a central place in the BRICS development agenda. The declaration supports capacity-building programmes, universal digital connectivity and digital public infrastructure, while calling for greater cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI).

BRICS leaders say AI should be accessible, safe, secure, inclusive and reliable, particularly for countries of the Global South. They also want cooperation to promote AI research and innovation, economic growth and social development while addressing the risks associated with the technology. The declaration recognises the need for a safer digital environment for children, older people and other vulnerable groups. Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Climate change is another major area of cooperation.

BRICS acknowledges that developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, face growing disaster risks and calls for stronger national disaster preparedness systems. The bloc has endorsed guidelines for integrating disaster early-warning data and principles for climate-resilient urban infrastructure. It also stresses the importance of financing infrastructure capable of withstanding climate and disaster risks.

The declaration recognises the role of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure as an international partnership supporting countries through technical assistance, knowledge exchange, policy support and financing approaches. BRICS is also calling for greater investment in disaster prevention, early-warning systems and risk-informed planning. Energy Security and Critical Minerals Energy security features prominently in the declaration, with BRICS pushing for cooperation on resilient energy infrastructure, diversified energy systems and emerging technologies.

The bloc recognises the continuing importance of fossil fuels to many emerging economies while advocating energy transitions that are just, orderly and inclusive. Critical minerals also receive particular attention, with BRICS supporting greater value addition and economic diversification in resource-rich countries. For Africa, which possesses significant deposits of minerals required for batteries, renewable energy systems and advanced technologies, this could create an opportunity for countries to push for local processing and manufacturing rather than simply exporting raw materials.

Climate Finance and Development Funding BRICS has renewed calls for greater climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building for developing countries. The declaration argues that developing countries need predictable and accessible financing to adapt to the effects of climate change. It also supports cooperation on carbon markets and community-based adaptation, including the use of traditional and local knowledge.

The bloc further emphasises biodiversity protection, forests, water security, drought management, desertification and wildfire preparedness. New Development Bank to Play Bigger Role The New Development Bank (NDB) is expected to play an increasingly important role in financing infrastructure and development among BRICS members and other developing economies. BRICS supports greater use of local currencies in financing and wants the bank to mobilise more resources for infrastructure and economic integration.

The declaration also looks towards what it describes as the NDB’s “second golden decade”, while supporting its expansion and a stronger role in knowledge sharing. For developing countries, a stronger development finance institution could provide an additional source of funding for infrastructure and economic projects, particularly where access to conventional international financing remains constrained. Peace, Gaza and Global Conflicts The declaration is also deeply political.

BRICS expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and called for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy, while stressing the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The bloc also warned against attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities operating under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. On Gaza, BRICS called for the maintenance of the ceasefire and full and unhindered humanitarian access.

It rejected the forced displacement of Palestinians and reaffirmed support for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the internationally recognised 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The bloc also reaffirmed support for full United Nations membership for Palestine. What it Means for Africa and Uganda Taken together, the New Delhi Declaration presents BRICS as more than an economic grouping.

It is increasingly positioning itself as a platform through which emerging economies seek to influence the rules governing the international system. Its agenda stretches from United Nations reform and African representation to trade, IMF voting rights, development finance, technology, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, energy, infrastructure and global peace. For Africa, the critical question is whether these commitments will translate into concrete financing, investment, technology transfer, industrialisation and greater political influence.

The declaration provides the framework. The challenge for BRICS members and partners will be turning those commitments into measurable results. For countries such as Uganda, the opportunity lies in using the expanding BRICS partnership architecture to pursue trade, investment, technology, infrastructure development, climate resilience and access to new markets. That will require moving beyond diplomatic engagement to clearly defined national interests and commercially viable partnerships.

Ultimately, the New Delhi Declaration reflects a broader contest over who gets to shape the rules of the international system: a system historically dominated by a small number of established powers, or one in which the Global South has a substantially greater voice. For Africa, the test will be whether that bigger seat at the table translates into tangible economic opportunities, stronger representation and a greater capacity to shape decisions that affect the continent’s future.