BRICS adopts New Delhi Declaration 2026 with focus on AI governance and digital sovereignty

BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th BRICS Summit in the national capital on Saturday, setting out a wide-ranging technology agenda that spans artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, telecommunications, submarine networks, quantum technologies, startups and advanced manufacturing.

The declaration called for stronger international cooperation to widen access to AI resources while ensuring the technology remains safe, secure, inclusive and reliable, and to mitigate its potential risks. It committed members to implementing the BRICS Leaders' Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence.

Highlighting AI's potential to drive economic growth and sustainable development, the declaration urged concerted and inclusive efforts to address digital threats, including security risks in the use of information and communication technologies, malicious software, data security concerns and the misuse of technology through cybercrime, misinformation, hate speech, disinformation and deepfakes.

It called for fostering AI for science and innovation, developing trustworthy AI technologies, improving the energy efficiency of AI systems and mitigating potential risks. International cooperation on accessibility, safety, security, inclusiveness and reliability, it said, would be essential for a just, fair, equitable and prosperous future for all countries, especially those of the Global South. The declaration also took note of India's AI Impact Summit held in February and the World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai.

On the digital economy, the declaration emphasised deepening cooperation towards a sovereign and self-reliant digital ecosystem, recognising digital and ICT ecosystems as critical to economic development, social inclusion, service delivery, sustainable growth, resilience and innovation. It underscored the transformative potential of resilient, safe, secure, inclusive and interoperable digital public infrastructure and digital public goods, based on national priorities and circumstances. It noted a proposal to launch a digital public infrastructure repository for BRICS countries and pilot projects of DPI solutions for digital transformation.

Members backed continued cooperation on submarine cable infrastructure to strengthen international digital connectivity and network resilience, and supported taking forward a proposed feasibility study for a high-speed communications network linking member countries. The declaration appreciated the work of a dedicated task force that concluded the document 'BRICS Cable Requirements: directive brief', following the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of 2025, and supported continued voluntary dialogue and cooperation in line with national circumstances and priorities. It encouraged the BRICS STI Steering Committee to continue the dialogue within the task force and propose next steps for the feasibility study, while calling for enhanced coordination between the ICT and STI tracks to avoid duplication.

The declaration noted the role of the BRICS Working Group on Security in facilitating exchanges between Computer Emergency Response Teams, law-enforcement cooperation and joint research and development. It called for globally interoperable common rules and standards for ICT supply-chain security and encouraged states to consider signing and ratifying the UN Convention against Cybercrime. It also stressed the growing importance of telecommunications for peace and socio-economic development.

On artificial intelligence and intellectual property, the declaration recognised the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the digital environment, including for AI training, and of fair remuneration for rights holders, while taking into account the priorities of developing countries. It flagged risks relating to misappropriation and misrepresentation of knowledge, heritage and cultural values that are insufficiently represented in data sets and AI models.

On emerging technologies, members welcomed cooperation in areas such as quantum technologies and proposed BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network centres. They welcomed the establishment of a BRICS Incubator Network and further consideration of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to catalyse innovation-led growth.

Highlighting the important role of youth in driving innovation and future competitiveness, the declaration encouraged members to promote the engagement of young researchers and startups through established mechanisms, including the Young Scientists Forum and the Young Innovators Prize. It acknowledged initiatives to strengthen innovation ecosystems, including a proposed Virtual Platform for BRICS Youth Startups to enable networking among alumni of the Young Scientists and Young Innovators programmes. The declaration also backed cooperation on Industry 4.0, smart factories, robotics and advanced digital production technologies, including greater adoption of AI by manufacturing companies and small and medium enterprises.