TLDR: BRICS foreign affairs ministers have collectively called for an inclusive and globally representative framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance, to be established under the United Nations. This initiative aims to ensure meaningful participation from developing countries, prioritize national sovereignty, data protection, and equitable access to AI resources, while leveraging AI for socio-economic development and addressing global challenges. The ministers emphasized the need for AI to serve ‘for good and for all,’ acknowledging both its transformative potential and associated risks.
Foreign affairs ministers from the BRICS bloc have issued a strong call for the establishment of an inclusive and globally representative governance framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI), advocating for its oversight under the auspices of the United Nations. This significant declaration, made during their annual meeting on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, and further solidified in a declaration signed in Rio de Janeiro, underscores the bloc’s commitment to shaping global AI rules that prioritize the needs and participation of developing countries.
The ministers, with India chairing the New York meeting in its capacity as the incoming BRICS chair for 2026, stressed that AI governance must foster meaningful participation from the Global South. Their joint statement highlighted that AI should serve ‘for good and for all,’ taking into account crucial aspects such as national policies, sovereignty, data protection, equitable access to resources, and innovation. They also encouraged the strategic leveraging of AI to address pressing social, economic, linguistic, and cultural challenges across member nations and beyond.
A key aspect of the BRICS initiative is the commitment to strengthening AI capacity-building in developing countries. The ministers expressed their anticipation for robust BRICS cooperation in this area, aiming to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all nations can benefit from AI’s transformative potential. This stance positions BRICS as a significant voice advocating for a multipolar approach to AI governance, challenging what they perceive as exclusionary or overly prescriptive Western-led initiatives.
The declaration also emphasized the importance of developing and deploying AI systems in line with national regulatory frameworks and international principles, particularly those enshrined in the UN Charter, while respecting national sovereignty and security. The ministers acknowledged that AI presents both immense opportunities and potential risks, including job displacement, increased inequality, bias, misinformation, surveillance, and malicious uses. Consequently, they committed to policies that ensure a just transition, investing in digital skills, professional reskilling, and the protection of workers’ rights.
Furthermore, the BRICS foreign ministers reiterated their support for a safe, open, secure, and interoperable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment. They advocated for global norms and legal frameworks to prevent cybercrime, malicious software, disinformation, and the misuse of digital technologies. The expanded BRICS bloc, which now includes new members like Indonesia, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan, signifies an amplified collective voice on technology governance, with its AI position expected to influence global technology discussions throughout 2025 and beyond.
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The BRICS leaders’ statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence signals a coordinated push to shape global rules for AI based on equity, inclusion, and shared development goals, with the next BRICS Summit in India in 2026 expected to focus on the implementation of this AI governance roadmap.
