Xi Jinping attended the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting.
The second-phase meeting was held, and an important speech was delivered.

2026-09-13 Source: “Study in China” Learning Platform

On the morning of September 13, local time, President Xi Jinping attended the second session of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting in New Delhi and delivered an important address titled “Consolidating the Foundations of BRICS Cooperation and Strengthening the Forces of the Global South.” Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Yan.

NEW DELHI, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) — On the morning of September 13, local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the second session of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting in New Delhi and delivered an important address titled “Consolidating the Foundations of BRICS Cooperation and Strengthening the Forces of the Global South.”

Xi Jinping pointed out that, at present, the world is undergoing profound and accelerating changes unseen in a century, and the collective rise of the Global South has become a key driving force behind the multipolarization of the world. At the same time, the international landscape is marked by intertwined turmoil and uncertainty, with an endless array of risks and challenges. To stabilize and improve the global situation, the BRICS countries must seize the historic initiative, unite with the broader Global South, play a proactive, stabilizing, and constructive role in international affairs, and advance the common well-being of humanity.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the countries of the Global South must jointly uphold international rule of law, safeguard the fundamental principles governing international relations—such as sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes—and ensure that international law and international norms are applied equally, without double standards. They should champion multilateralism, uphold the authority and role of the United Nations, support reforms to enhance the effectiveness of multilateral institutions, steer World Trade Organization reform in the right direction, and reform and improve the international financial architecture to strengthen the representation and voice of developing countries. Furthermore, they must adhere to a people-centered development philosophy and advance the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Finally, they should work together to promote security governance, jointly address both traditional and non-traditional security threats, improve global climate governance, and accelerate the establishment of a globally agreed‑upon framework for artificial intelligence governance, so that emerging technologies can illuminate the path to shared prosperity.

Xi Jinping pointed out that for the “Big BRICS” to achieve significant results and robust development, it must firmly lay the groundwork for pragmatic cooperation. It should leverage its advantages—backed by emerging markets and connected to the Global South—adhere to open cooperation and mutually beneficial outcomes, ensure the stability and smooth functioning of industrial and supply chains, foster an integrated large market, establish innovation incubators, upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries, and strategically position itself in future‑oriented sectors. Xi Jinping put forward five initiatives to deepen BRICS cooperation:

First, the Initiative on Open-Source and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence. China will take the lead in establishing a BRICS open-source AI hub, support cooperation in the development and application of large language models, organize specialized training and capacity-building programs on AI, and foster an open AI ecosystem.

Second, the Initiative on Trade and Investment Facilitation. China proposes establishing a BRICS partnership on special economic zones, setting up a smart portal, aligning policies, and creating new hubs for open development. Next year, China will host the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services to foster new drivers of economic and trade cooperation.

Third, the Digital Industry Cooperation Initiative. China will promote the establishment of a BRICS digital industry cloud platform, conduct digital skills training, facilitate technological exchanges and industrial matchmaking, and jointly advance the development of the digital economy.

Fourth, the Initiative on Cooperation in Intelligent Manufacturing. China stands ready to assist BRICS countries in building smart factories, establishing a system of standards and specifications, and jointly advancing the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector.

Fifth, the Initiative on Fostering Talent through Science and Technology. China proposes establishing a BRICS Engineers’ Training Alliance to promote joint engineer‑training programs and mutual recognition of professional competency standards. China will also implement the BRICS Young Innovators and Scientists Exchange Program to cultivate more high‑caliber talent in science and technology.

Xi Jinping emphasized that this year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. The 15th Five-Year Plan is both a blueprint for China’s own development and a roadmap for global cooperation. China will continue to promote high-quality development, expand high-standard opening-up, implement the Global Development Initiative, and advance high-quality joint efforts to build the Belt and Road, sharing opportunities and creating prosperity together with countries around the world, and jointly writing a new chapter of solidarity and self-reliance for the Global South.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid of Abu Dhabi, and the foreign ministers of Brazil and Saudi Arabia, along with leaders or representatives of BRICS partner countries and guest nations, as well as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and other heads of international organizations, attended the meeting, which was chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On the morning of September 13, local time, President Xi Jinping attended the second session of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting in New Delhi and delivered an important address titled “Consolidating the Foundations of BRICS Cooperation and Strengthening the Forces of the Global South.” Prior to the meeting, President Xi posed for a group photo with the participating leaders. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Ye.

Prior to the meeting, Xi Jinping posed for a group photo with the participating leaders.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others attended the aforementioned events. (Reporters Li Zhongfa and Han Mo)

Editor-in-charge: Li Liangyu