BRICS pushes for WTO dispute settlement revival, Appellate Body appointments

BRICS countries have urged the immediate revival of the World Trade Organization's two-tier dispute settlement mechanism and the swift appointment of new Appellate Body members, framing the move as essential to restoring trust and predictability in global trade.

The call was made in the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit. Member nations reaffirmed their backing for WTO reform and for a multilateral trading system that is non-discriminatory, open, equitable, transparent and rules-based, with the WTO at its centre.

The declaration described an accessible, effective and fully functioning two-tier binding dispute settlement mechanism as a foundation for confidence among WTO members, and pressed for new Appellate Body members to be named without further delay. BRICS said it would keep engaging constructively on reforms to improve the organisation's authority, effectiveness, inclusiveness and relevance.

The grouping also committed to resolving pending WTO issues and implementing the outcomes of the 14th Ministerial Conference, and to deepening coordination through its Informal Consultative Framework on matters affecting the WTO's credibility and effectiveness.

Expressing concern over a rise in trade-restrictive measures, the declaration flagged unilateral tariff and non-tariff steps that it said distort trade and run counter to WTO rules. Such measures, it warned, could disrupt global trade and supply chains and inject uncertainty into international economic activity.

BRICS said it would work collectively to make the WTO more responsive to trade disruptions and to the priorities of emerging markets and developing economies, while pursuing balanced, inclusive and concrete outcomes for the multilateral system.

The bloc also voiced strong support for Ethiopia and Iran's applications to join the WTO, saying their accession would help advance the Global South's aspirations for fuller integration into global trade. It separately acknowledged China's expansion of zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties.

Looking ahead, the declaration called for exploring forward-looking rules within the WTO framework and appropriate pathways for plurilateral initiatives, especially on development-oriented issues. The push forms part of BRICS' wider effort to strengthen multilateral economic cooperation and secure greater representation for emerging and developing economies in global economic governance.