Introduction and Summary
The 2015 BRICS Ufa Compliance Report, prepared by the BRICS Research Group (the University of Toronto and the Center for International Institutions Research of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), analyses compliance performance by BRICS countries with a selection of priority commitments drawn from the total of 130 commitments made by the leaders at the Ufa Summit on 8-9 July 2015. The report covers actions on nine commitments taken by the BRICS countries during the period from 10 July 2015 to 19 September 2016. This timeframe allows for an assessment of compliance during the period from the Ufa summit to the Goa Summit, which will be hosted by India on 15-16 October 2016
The role of the BRICS in the global governance system is steadily increasing, as the countries have transformed a purely economic concept of the BRIC into a new global governance institution. Also, in spite of the recent economic slowdown, the BRICS countries collectively constitute almost a third of the global gross domestic product and are likely to outperform the G7 for the next several years.
However, to stay relevant in the global economy and retain its influence, the BRICS needs to further augment cooperation. In line with this idea, the five members have been broadening and deepening their coordination and collaboration in different areas and in different formats. Since the establishment of the format, the countries have held almost 110 meetings at different levels. Apart from the summits, these include the meetings of the foreign, finance, trade, agriculture and health ministers, as well as representatives of statistical offices, competition authorities and heads of development banks. These meetings resulted in the adoption of more than 40 documents and
establishment of a growing number of working groups, contact groups and other mechanisms of coordination. The dynamics of BRICS cooperation has been positive, and the speed of its institutionalization has been high. Most importantly, the leaders have agreed on 361 concrete decisions across the various areas of their agenda. At the summits between 2009 and 2015, BRICS leaders adopted 361 commitments and delegated 32 mandates to intra-BRICS institutions.1 BRICS decisions refer to 12 broad policy areas, such as economy, finance, climate change and education.
The Ufa Summit produced by far the largest number of commitments, most of which focused on reforming the International Monetary Fund, strengthening international cooperation and coordinating macroeconomic policy and finance.
BRICS cooperation has been further deepened and expanded during the Russian presidency. According to the Concept of the Russian Federation’s Presidency in BRICS in 2015, cooperation expanded to include such new areas as parliamentary affairs, culture, and information and communications technologies. Strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation and engagement with other international institutions is a priority. Enhancing “the efficiency of BRICS by improving the reporting process for previous commitments assumed by member countries” is emphasized.2 Given that collective commitments made at the BRICS summits reflect the members’ shared goals, an
increase in the number of commitments and compliance performance could indicate a strengthened capability for collective action.
