The BRICS group (initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) has changed into a major source of global political and economic change. It was created to allow important emerging markets to have their say and to oppose traditional Western-controlled financial institutions, but now the group has become a powerful political organization.
The BRICS integration includes 11 countries and the group serves the interest of 49.5% of the world's population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of international trade, proving that it has a significant role in global governance and economic relations.
With historic expansions of this group after the welcoming of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and later expanding to Indonesia. The declarations of BRICS summits now play an instrumental part in shaping issues related to global trade, climate financing and multilateral governance.
India has hosted the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam. Under the 2026 theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," India's presidency year has been marked by over 350 meetings and engagements hosted across 25 Indian cities.
India has already hosted BRICS summits in 2012, 2016 and 2021. In 2026, the agenda of New Delhi was focused on the fact that the BRICS countries are now engaged in some people-centered solutions for Global South issues proposed in the areas of mental health, healthy lifestyles, traditional medicine systems as well as youth platforms.
BRICS Summits List (2009–2026): Year-Wise Theme and Host Countries
|
Year
|
Edition
|
Host Country
|
Host City
|
Theme
|
Outcomes & Declarations
|
|
2009
|
1st
|
Russia
|
Yekaterinburg
|
No formal theme assigned
|
Inaugural Summit (BRIC); issued joint statement calling for a more democratic and multipolar world order.
|
|
2010
|
2nd
|
Brazil
|
Brasília
|
No formal theme assigned
|
Formalized South Africa’s entry process into the bloc; focused on global financial system reforms post-2008 recession.
|
|
2011
|
3rd
|
China
|
Sanya
|
Broad Vision, Shared Prosperity
|
First summit attended by South Africa (forming "BRICS"); Sanya Declaration focused on economic cooperation.
|
|
2012
|
4th
|
India
|
New Delhi
|
BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity
|
Delhi Declaration; initiated talks to set up a new development bank and financial agreement.
|
|
2013
|
5th
|
South Africa
|
Durban
|
BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialisation
|
Established the BRICS Business Council; formalized plans for the New Development Bank (NDB).
|
|
2014
|
6th
|
Brazil
|
Fortaleza
|
Inclusive Growth: Sustainable Solutions
|
Fortaleza Declaration: Signed agreement creating the New Development Bank (NDB) ($100B capital) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
|
|
2015
|
7th
|
Russia
|
Ufa
|
VII BRICS Summit: It's Time for Action
|
Adopted the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership; focus on security, counter-terrorism, and trade.
|
|
2016
|
8th
|
India
|
Goa
|
Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions
|
Goa Declaration; organized the first BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit to strengthen regional South Asian ties.
|
|
2017
|
9th
|
China
|
Xiamen
|
BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future
|
Xiamen Declaration; introduced "BRICS Plus" outreach model. named specific international terror groups for the first time.
|
|
2018
|
10th
|
South Africa
|
Johannesburg
|
BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution
|
Focused on the 4th Industrial Revolution, digital economy, establishing the BRICS Vaccine R&D Center.
|
|
2019
|
11th
|
Brazil
|
Brasília
|
Economic Growth for an Innovative Future
|
Prioritized science, technology, innovation, counter-terrorism cooperation and regional trade security.
|
|
2020
|
12th
|
Russia
|
Virtual
|
BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth
|
Adopted the Counter-Terrorism Strategy. addressed global healthcare response and economic recovery amid COVID-19.
|
|
2021
|
13th
|
India
|
Virtual
|
BRICS @ 15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus
|
New Delhi Declaration; adopted BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan and agreement on Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation.
|
|
2022
|
14th
|
China
|
Virtual
|
Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development
|
Beijing Declaration; emphasized digital economy, trade facilitation, and supply chain resilience amid geopolitical tensions.
|
|
2023
|
15th
|
South Africa
|
Johannesburg
|
BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism
|
Johannesburg II Declaration: Landmark decision to invite 6 new nations (Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE) to join BRICS.
|
|
2024
|
16th
|
Russia
|
Kazan
|
Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security
|
Kazan Declaration: First summit as an expanded 10-member bloc; introduced "Partner Country" status and advanced local currency settlement mechanisms (BRICS Pay).
|
|
2025
|
17th
|
Brazil
|
Rio de Janeiro
|
Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance
|
Rio de Janeiro Declaration: Formally welcomed Indonesia as a full member. Advanced reforms for the UN, IMF and World Bank shareholding structures.
|
|
2026
|
18th
|
India
|
New Delhi
|
Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
|
New Delhi Summit (Sept 12–13, 2026): Held at Bharat Mandapam. Focused on Human-Centric AI, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), climate finance and navigating Global South energy resilience.
|
Significant Developments and Historical Points of BRICS
Transition from BRIC to BRICS to Expanded BRICS:
- 2009: Established as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China).
- 2010-2011: South Africa’s accession marked the transition to BRICS.
- 2024-2025: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia became part of the expanded group.
- Establishment of Financial Institutions (2014): At the 6th Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, the formation of the New Development Bank (NDB) with an authorized capital of $100 billion took place, providing a viable alternative to World Bank and IMF for financing infrastructure in emerging economies.
- Intra-BRICS Trade and Establishment of Alternative Payment Systems (2024-2026): At the recent summits held in Kazan (2024) and Rio de Janeiro (2025) discussions regarding reducing dependency on US Dollars and implementation of cross-border payment systems in local currencies got momentum.
- India’s Chairmanship in 2026:Holding the 4th summit in New Delhi in 2026 (after those held in 2012, 2016, and 2021). India will work upon its “Humanity First” idea by making use of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and models of sustainable development to reach agreement in the Global South.
The BRICS group has transformed from just an economic alliance into an active contributor for the Global South, which marks a significant change in contemporary geopolitics. By implementing initiatives aimed at building resilient supply chains, digital public infrastructure and a human-centered way of development. India’s presidency in 2026 shows that the success of BRICS will depend on concrete actions, inclusive trade and pragmatic cooperation.