Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have come together as sovereign independent nations, and with common purpose, to forge a long-term strategy for multilateral and mutual cooperation amongst one another. To this end, BRICS member states pledge to work together in the quest for:
The strategy has evolved dynamically from the founding and subsequent Summit meetings of leaders of the BRICS member states. It presents a broad trajectory for the attainment of policy objectives and goals that will address current global challenges facing member states and the world at large. BRICS member states have common ideals in the pursuit of economic and social development in their own countries. BRICS is committed to building an international economic and political order that is just and fair.
As a new multilateral grouping BRICS acknowledges the differences among its members in terms of history, culture, political systems, economic structures, resource endowment, and levels of development. Members view these as a demonstration of the diversity of the world's civilizations. BRICS countries recognize in this diversity the possibility for deeper cooperation for mutual benefit, drawing on the comparative advantage of each country to collectively complement and build on one another's strengths.
To give concrete expression to the BRICS vision, the BTTC will elaborate an action plan based on the following:
I. PROMOTING COOPERATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
1. The global financial crisis, precipitated by the international financial sector, has seriously compromised economic growth. Declining economic growth rates globally have resulted in a decline in growth and development within BRICS and other developing and emerging markets. To safeguard economic gains BRICS member states should consider promoting cooperation for growth and development among themselves and through dialogue with other like-minded partners. To this end, BRICS could consider market integration in the areas of trade, foreign investment, and capital markets to counteract the effects of negative global trends. In addition, member states could work towards greater BRICS consultation and cooperation in economic and financial fora such as the World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and collaborate using existing cooperative frameworks to collectively position themselves by fostering intra-BRICS consensus on substantial issues of mutual agreement.
2. In recent years diversified forms of cooperation among member states have grown and been enriched through their shared interests, whilst bringing tangible benefit to their peoples. Given this existing level of cooperation, BRICS member states may consider further cooperation in trade and investment that promotes sustainable inclusive economic growth and development, stability in the financial sector, industry and commerce, agriculture, and investment in infrastructure To further enhance such practical cooperation, BRICS member states should promote comparative and complementary advantages between and among themselves to their mutual benefit. BRICS could also explore a financial transaction, credit and payment system that promotes ease of doing business among member states. Furthermore, member states may wish to investigate the institutional, administrative and socio-cultural obstacles and challenges that hinder business investment and development across borders. To facilitate such cooperation, BRICS has established the BRICS Business Council (BBC) and the BRICS Think Tanks Council (BTTC) and begun a process to consider setting up a development finance institution.
3. In their quest for economic growth and development, BRICS countries are mindful of economic development in their respective regions. Each BRICS country is an integral part of its own regional markets and closely linked to other regions through trade, commerce and investment. Many of these associated regional economies represent a sizeable proportion of the World's fastest growing economies. Asia and Africa are regions that have experienced significant economic growth in the past five years. BRICS could, in their respective regions, support social and economic development and investment in infrastructure to promote trade and job In this regard BRICS member states may wish to use their collective efforts to promote infrastructure development in all sectors of the economy.
II. PEACE AND SECURITY
4. BRICS member states are committed to a democratic and just polycentric world order founded on the rule of law, equality, mutual respect, cooperation, coordinated action, and collective decision-making. This vision could be achieved through supporting political and diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve global disputes. In this regard member states reaffirm the pre eminent role of the UN, especially the Security Council, in resolving threats to wo ld peace whilst upholding and respecting the principles of the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of each Members states should encourage the UN to strengthen its capacity to act decisively in order to prevent conflicts that endanger lives of people and could cause collapse of sovereign states.
5. BRICS values the principles and common interests of peace and friendship. As such the grouping commits to collaborating, cooperating and building partnerships to achieve a better and safer world that is not based on confrontation, competition or rivalry.
6. It is evident that forging fruitful partnerships and a strong and peaceful global order requires cooperation between both developed and developing countries. BRICS should enhance coordination in dealing with international conflicts. Nurturing such conditions for cooperation is crucial to constructing a different global order where power is more diffused and responsibilities are appropriately shared.
7. Peace and security issues that require attention include: seeking reform of the UN; countering international terrorism and piracy; ensuring cyber and information security; disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and other contemporary challenges.
III. SOCIAL JUSTICE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND QUALITY OF LIFE
8. BRICS member states are mindful that the prevailing environmental catastrophe poses a serious global risk and tests the planet's capacity for renewal and recuperation. These environmental risks pose threats to achieving sustainable economic development. BRICS member states should promote appropriate policies and programmes that will guard against environmental threats to sustainable economic development.
9. Human development is compromised by the risks of natural disasters to the wellbeing and life of citizens of member states and the In affirming its commitment to the principle of a people centred society, BRICS may choose to promote cooperation in priority areas such as sustainable food security and consider working towards coordinated international humanitarian assistance and mitigate the adverse effects of natural and man-made disasters.
10. BRICS should aim to promote the improvement of living conditions through sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development for its citizens as well as the global citizenry. Such an agenda seeks to reduce inequalities, enable the creation of employment opportunities, and eradicate extreme poverty, whilst also unleashing the potential for innovation as a driver of change. In advancing employment creation programmes, member states are mindful that decent work and informal entrepreneurial opportunities could play a meaningful role in assisting poor people to escape the poverty trap.
11. In addition, member states may wish to prioritize issues of common concern, including the healthcare and education needs of almost half the world's population (43 per cent) represented by BRICS countries themselves. BRICS member states encourage efforts to invest in universal health coverage, to promote universal access to health care, and to achieve a reduction in morbidity and premature mortality rates. They also aim to promote universal access to basic education of high quality, particularly for girls, and increase opportunities for post-school education and training.
IV. POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE
12. BRICS member states should share experiences and improve existing initiatives on good governance and transparency both within the ambit of global multilateral cooperation and domestically in member countries.
13. BRICS member states are concerned about the current unbalanced structure of international institutions charged with global political and economic governance. For these institutions to operate more effectively in promoting development and better governance, a comprehensive reform of the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and other institutions should be undertaken so that they become inclusive, more effective and more efficient.
14. BRICS member states are aware that the current global financial crisis is the result of a poorly regulated international financial order. To ensure more effective financial governance in order to avert the possibility of future crises, BRICS should promote reforms that will encourage productive investment as opposed to speculation-fuelled financial gains and unregulated access to credit.
V.PROGRESS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVITION SHARING
15. Recognizing that innovations used to solve common problems of development may be the product of many years of accumulated and collective knowledge, BRICS member states should commit to adapting, sharing and exchanging knowledge, skills and innovation in support of modernization and sustainable development for the benefit of member states and humanity in general.
16. BRICS member states themselves represent a range of developmental and successful innovation experiences. They should make a concerted effort to share these experiences and learnings by promoting greater intra-BRICS collaboration among governments, business, academic institutions, and civil society. BRICS countries could leverage their public enterprise sectors as well as encourage the private sector so as to promote a tripartite partnership among academic institutions, industries, and government for knowledge-sharing and innovation.
17. In order to enhance cooperation between and among member states and to capitalize on comparative advantages, BRICS should commit to investing greater effort and resources to increase joint research among member states. It is therefore important to support intra-BRICS knowledge production and dissemination as well as facilitate researcher and student exchange.
18. BRICS should aspire to nurture world class research institutions and education facilities that can make significant contribution to global education and knowledge systems.
19. There is a need to coordinate across key sectors such as ICT, sustainable and efficient energy generation, biotechnology, space technology, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing of essential goods for these sectors which could prove to be mutually beneficial for accelerating the BRICS development agenda.
20. BRICS member states should explore technological advances and learn from one another in key areas of both national innovation systems and indigenous and traditional knowledge systems to better understand and adapt such knowledge to respond to contemporary socio-economic challenges.
21. BRICS member states should resolve to ensure that the knowledge and innovation generated severally and jointly will benefit all nations. Such lessons would contribute to further redressing global disparities, promoting regional cooperation, and rebuilding international solidarity so as to ensure common prosperity and the well-being of all.
Informed by these five pillars, the BTTC will develop a set of substantive analyses, strategic pathways and action plans that will lead to the realization of this strategy. The BTTC members will mobilize other research institutions in their countries to support this endeavour.
In accordance with paragraph 17 of the Delhi Action Plan the BTTC is pleased to submit this document for the consideration of the leaders.
