BRICS leaders have approved a historic 140-point declaration in which, among other things, they expressed the need to end the economic, trade and financial measures against Cuba.
The text emphasized the character of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, based on mutual respect, the peaceful settlement of disputes and non-intervention.
The highest authorities and senior representatives of the 11 emerging nations — Brazil, India, China, Russia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia — expressed their deep concern about the situation in Cuba due to the tightening of unilateral blockade measures against the country and their adverse effects on the economy and energy supply.
Furthermore, they considered the humanitarian impact on the Cuban people to be worrying. BRICS leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the spirit of mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusion, and consensus.
They highlighted the group’s two decades of existence and its expansion, pledging to strengthen cooperation in the three pillars: political-security, economic-financial, and people-to-people cultural.
At the meeting in New Delhi, leaders of BRICS reiterated the need to reform the multilateral system, including the UN and its Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, and effective, increasing the participation of developing countries (Africa, Asia, and Latin America).
They rejected unilateral coercive measures, tariffs, and protectionism, while advocating for a rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its center.
The BRICS leaders expressed alarm at the increase in global military spending and conflicts in various regions.
They condemned attacks on civilian and nuclear infrastructure and called for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
They also reiterated their support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state, and condemned the forced displacement from the occupied territories.
The BRICS statement expressed concern about the situations in Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria, and called for an end to the occupations and respect for sovereignty.
They condemned terrorism in all its forms, including the attack in the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025.
The BRICS leaders reaffirmed the importance of the 2030 Agenda and the eradication of poverty, while highlighting cooperation in health, agriculture, energy, industry, technology, and finance, with the role of the New Development Bank (NDB), cross-border payments in local currencies, and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
The representatives of the 11 emerging economies reaffirmed the Paris Agreement and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and supported the conservation of biodiversity, tropical forests, and the fight against desertification.
They also highlighted the need for climate finance and a just transition.
The BRICS declaration acknowledged the expansion of the BRICS and the need for more effective coordination.
They thanked India for its presidency in 2026 and extended their full support to China for the presidency and the 19th Summit in 2027.
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
