Business and UN Leaders Call for BRICS Institutionalization

Business and international development leaders called for the formal institutionalization of BRICS during India's presidency to transition the bloc from representation to concrete results. Mtho Xulu, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, advocated for the creation of a permanent secretariat in New Delhi to drive the implementation of the grouping's goals. Xulu praised the Government of India for its leadership in synthesizing member views into a unanimously adopted annual report and suggested that members leverage regional influence to expand opportunities for the 10-member bloc.

Simultaneously, Angela Lusigi, the Resident Representative of UNDP India, characterized the current presidency as a critical moment to shift South-South cooperation toward a model of sharing technology and knowledge. Lusigi highlighted India's transition from traditional development assistance to cooperation involving digital public infrastructure, noting that Indian solutions like the electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network are already being adapted in Laos, Zambia, and Indonesia.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of infrastructure and governance. While Xulu focused on digital trade to connect diverse markets, Lusigi noted that India is well-positioned to lead global discussions on artificial intelligence governance and climate finance to ensure a meaningful voice for the Global South.