THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026

BRICS leaders on Saturday called for stronger cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), backing an open, safe, secure and interoperable digital environment while urging concerted global action against cybercrime, misinformation, disinformation and deepfakes.

Adopting the BRICS New Delhi Declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit here, the leaders recognised ICTs as a key driver of socio-economic growth and digital transformation and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in the sector in line with national priorities and international commitments.

The summit, being held from September 12 to 13 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, also saw leaders reaffirm the grouping’s commitment to mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus.

Building on two decades of BRICS cooperation, the leaders pledged to deepen collaboration within the expanded grouping across three broad pillars -- political and security; economic and financial; and cultural and people-to-people cooperation.

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the BRICS strategic partnership by promoting peace, a more representative and fairer international order, a reformed multilateral system, sustainable development and inclusive growth.

On digital security, the leaders backed an ICT environment that is open, safe, secure, stable, accessible, peaceful and interoperable, while stressing the need to respect national sovereignty and security.

They welcomed the operationalisation of the Global Mechanism on Developments in the Field of ICTs in the Context of International Security and Advancing Responsible States Behaviour in the Use of ICTs, and underscored the central role of the United Nations in fostering dialogue on responsible state behaviour and security in the use of ICTs.

The declaration also called for greater adherence to universally agreed norms, rules and principles governing responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, including discussions on developing a universal legal framework for ICT security.

In a strong push for international cooperation against cybercrime, the leaders encouraged all states to consider signing and ratifying the UN Convention against Cybercrime, in accordance with their domestic laws and procedures, to facilitate its early entry into force and strengthen global efforts to combat cyber offences.

They also called for continued engagement in the Ad Hoc Committee on the convention, including negotiations on a supplementary protocol dealing with additional criminal offences, as appropriate. The leaders further called for efforts to prepare draft rules of procedure for the Conference of the States Parties.

Highlighting the role of the BRICS Working Group on Security in the Use of ICTs, the declaration noted progress made under the Roadmap of Practical Cooperation on Ensuring Security in the Use of ICTs.

The working group, the leaders said, has an important role in facilitating policy exchanges, sharing best practices among Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), strengthening law enforcement cooperation and promoting joint research and development.

They also stressed the importance of academic and research exchanges among BRICS countries and called for wider use of ICTs for peaceful and developmental purposes in an inclusive, accessible, sustainable and interoperable manner, with people-centred applications at the core.

The leaders flagged a widening range of digital threats, including cybercrime, malicious software, data security risks, misinformation, hate speech, disinformation and deepfakes, and called for concerted and inclusive efforts to address challenges emerging from the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

They advocated a comprehensive, balanced and objective approach to the development and security of ICT products and systems, besides urging the creation and implementation of globally interoperable common rules and standards for supply chain security.

The declaration also highlighted the growing importance of telecommunications in preserving peace and advancing economic and social development.

Linking digital cooperation with the broader development agenda, the BRICS leaders reaffirmed that innovation, responsible technology use and stronger ICT collaboration can contribute to sustainable and inclusive global economic growth.