12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi adopts joint declaration proposing digital public infrastructure repository

Key facts

• The declaration reaffirmed commitment to universal and meaningful connectivity and noted the proposal to launch a digital public infrastructure repository for BRICS countries along with pilot projects of digital public infrastructure solutions for digital transformation.
• The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held in New Delhi, India on 26-27 October 2026 under the theme 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development', attended by Presiding Officers and representatives of the Parliaments of Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the UAE.
• The declaration took note of Russia's initiative to consider establishing a BRICS Plus geopolitical group within the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), with BRICS interaction in international parliamentary fora to be strengthened to amplify the voice of the Global South.
• The declaration acknowledged the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ICTs, called for equitable international access to AI resources, urged strengthening of digital sovereignty through data privacy protection, and encouraged BRICS Parliaments to share best practices on digital technologies and AI-enabled tools for parliamentary functions.
• The declaration supported comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, to make it more just, equitable, democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and welcomed Paragraph 13 of the BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026.
• The declaration expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East/West Asia, called for maximum restraint and protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• The declaration took note of Russia's proposal to consider establishing an inter-parliamentary BRICS Working Group on Sport, in line with Paragraph 8 of the Protocol to the MoU on the BRICS Parliamentary Forum of 11 July 2024.
• The declaration condemned unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law, including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, for their negative implications on human rights including the right to development, health and food security of targeted states.
• The forum concluded with members agreeing to reconvene in 2027 under the BRICS Chairship of the People's Republic of China.