The 2026 BRICS Summit convened in New Delhi from Saturday to Sunday, gathering leaders of major emerging economies to advance inclusive global governance, strengthen multilateralism, and foster sustainable global economic growth. The event underscored the bloc's growing role in shaping a multipolar world order.
Addressing Session I of the 18th BRICS Summit on Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS cooperation. He described the two decades as a period of self-reliance and self-strengthening, during which BRICS countries actively explored development paths suited to their national conditions, setting an example of unity among emerging markets and developing countries.
On the sidelines of the summit, the People's Daily released a video titled "Through Xi's Eyes: Finding the answer to the 'warmth of BRICS,'" which showcased the warmth of multilateral cooperation and how China's development philosophy resonates across the Global South. The video features Busi Mabuza, South African chairperson of the BRICS Business Council, who emphasized the shared bond among emerging nations: "Because most of the Global South countries are recently emerging from developing nation status, they understand the importance of not leaving anybody behind." She added that BRICS "has opened up relationships in markets that are not just large, but that believe in multilateralism, that believe in supporting BRICS partners through sharing of technology, through sharing of skills."
R. Deepak, professor of Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, who brought stacks of President Xi's works back from China, observed that Xi's early years laid the foundation for his people-centered approach and poverty alleviation strategies. Such grassroots governance, Deepak noted, deeply resonates with nations of the Global South that share similar developmental journeys and strive to build a better life for their people.
The video reflects that for people across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, development is not an abstract concept but concrete improvements, from a paved road to a new job. As nations come together for this common goal, the paths to development and modernization open up to more possibilities.
For business and technology leaders, the summit's emphasis on technology and skills sharing signals potential opportunities for collaboration and market expansion across the Global South. The reaffirmation of multilateralism could lead to more predictable trade and investment environments, while China's development philosophy may influence policies on inclusive growth and innovation. As BRICS countries deepen cooperation, leaders should watch for initiatives that facilitate cross-border technology transfer and capacity building, which could reshape competitive dynamics in emerging markets.
The 2026 BRICS Summit thus reinforces the bloc's commitment to a shared future, with China's approach serving as a catalyst for sustainable development and multilateral engagement. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
