1.The Ministers ofForeignAffairs/International Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa met on 19 May 2022 in virtual formatunder China’s Chairship.They reiterated that the BRICS countries shall continueto enhance the framework of intra-BRICS cooperation under the three pillars - political and security, economic and financial, and cultural & people-to-people exchanges, tocontain the spread and effects ofthe COVID-19 pandemic with solidarity, to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and to further broaden and deepen the cooperationamongst theBRICScountries.The Ministers agreed that facing the newly emerging features and challenges, the BRICS countries should enhance their solidarity and cooperation and work together to address them. In this regard, theyrecalled the adoption in 2021 by BRICS Sherpas of the revised Terms of Reference for guiding BRICS engagement going forward on its working methods, scope of engagement and the Chair’s mandate.

2.The Ministerstook note ofthe unprecedented shock and hardshipcaused by theCOVID-19pandemic tohumanity.They acknowledged therelated uncertainties which will impactthe achievement of sustainable developmentgoalsglobally. They stressed that the difficulties are possibly interconnectedand therefore theyreaffirmed the need for the international community to work together to build resiliencethrough solidarity and cooperation.

3.The Ministers reiterated their commitmenttomultilateralismthrough upholding international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations as its indispensable cornerstone, and to the central role of the United Nations in an international system in which sovereign states cooperate to maintain peace and security, advance sustainable development,ensure the promotion and protection ofdemocracy, human rightsandfundamental freedomsfor all, andpromotingcooperation based on the spirit of mutual respect, justice and equality.

4. The Ministers reiterated their commitment to enhancing and improving global governancebypromoting a more agile, effective,efficient,representative and accountable system;exercisinginclusive consultation and collaboration for the benefit of allon the basis ofrespectingsovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, equality, legitimate interests and concerns ofdifferent countries.

5.The Ministers recalled the Joint Statement on Strengthening and Reforming the Multilateral System in 2021andreaffirmed their commitmenttoadvancingthe process of reform mentioned in the Joint Statementalongwith all the relevant parties of international community, in order tomaketheglobalgovernance institutionsmore inclusive, representative and democratic and to facilitate greater participation ofemerging markets anddevelopingcountriesin global decision-making. They supported the call for greater representation of developing countries in theinternational organizationsandmultilateral foraso that they could play an important roleinglobal governance.The Ministers recalled the 2005 World Summit Outcome document and reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges. China and Russia reiterated the importance they attach to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs and supported their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN.

6. The Ministers reiterated that it was imperative to ensure theavailability ofsafe, efficacious, accessible and affordablediagnostics,medicines, vaccines and essentialmedicalproducts to people from different countries especially developing countries,andequitable distribution of vaccines and expeditious vaccination, to fill the immunization gapglobally. They supported the leading role oftheWHO in combating the pandemic, as well asacknowledgedinitiatives such asthe COVAX and the ACT-A. They recognized the importanceof the on-going discussions in the WTO onrelevant IP waiver proposals, as well ascapacity building andstrengthening local production of vaccines and other health tools, especially in developing countries. They stressed the needtocontinue tostrengthenthecooperation ondeveloping,testing methods, therapeutic, research, production and recognition of vaccines,the research on their efficacy and safety in light ofnewvariants of COVID-19 virus and recognition of national document of vaccination against COVID-19 and respective testing, especially for purpose of international travel, as well asknowledge-sharing on traditional medicineamongthe BRICS countries. They expressed support tothe launch of the BRICS Vaccine Research and DevelopmentCenter,the establishment of BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for preventing mass infectious diseases risks,and theadoptionofthe Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Regulation of Medical Products for Human Use.Theycalledforconductingan origin-tracingbased on scientific principles,evidence-based decision-making,objectivity,inclusivity, transparencyandfree fromstigmatizationor interference, within existing international frameworks including the WHO.

7.The Ministersstressed that global economic governance is of critical importanceforcountries toensuresustainable developmentand recalled further their support for broadening and strengthening the participation of emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs) in the international economic decision-making and norm-setting processes. They reiterated their support for G20’s leading role in global economic governance andunderlined that G20 shall remain intact and respond to current global challenges. They called upon the international community to foster partnerships whileunderliningthatit is imperative to strengthen macro-policy coordinationin driving the world economy out of the crisis and shaping a strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive post-pandemic economic recovery.They urgedmajor developed countries to adopt responsible economic policies, whilemanagingpolicy spillovers, toavoid severe impacts on developing countries.

8.TheMinisterscalledfor the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in its three dimensions - economic, social and environmental-in a balanced and integrated manner.

9.The Ministers expressed theirsupport foran open, transparent, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatoryandrules-basedmultilateral trading systemwith a view to ensuring a level playing fieldwith special and differential treatment for developing countries, andavoidthe unilateral actions and protectionist measures that run counter to the rules of WTO. They supportedarobustGlobal Financial Safety Net with a quota-based and adequately resourced IMF at its center.

10.TheMinistersreiteratedthatthe objectives, principles and provisions of the UNFCCC andtheParis Agreement, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilitiesand respective capabilitiesin the light of different national circumstances,mustbe honored.Theyreaffirmedtheirnational andjointeffortstopromote implementationoftheParisAgreementand, in that regard, stressed the importance of the fulfillment by developed countries of their commitments to providetechnologyand mobilizecredible andadequate, predictable and timelynew and additionalclimate financing to assist developing countries to combat climate change.They also expressed their concern on theattempts to link security withclimate change agenda and recalled that the UNFCCC, including the annual COP sessions, is the appropriate and legitimate international forum to discuss the issue of climate change, considering all its dimensions.

11.The Ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in Ukraine as expressed at the appropriate fora, namely the UNSC and UNGA. They supported talks between Russia and Ukraine. They also discussed their concerns over the humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine and expressed their support to efforts of the UN Secretary-General, UN Agencies and ICRC to provide humanitarian aid in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 46/182.

12. The Ministers expressed deep concern over the situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)discussed in the Meetingof BRICS Deputy Ministers/Special Envoys on17 May2022.

13.TheMinisters expressed strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. They recognized the threat emanating from terrorism, extremism conducive to terrorism and radicalization. They committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens. They reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. They reaffirmedtheirunwavering commitment to contribute further to the global efforts of preventing and countering the threat of terrorism on the basis of respect for international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, and human rights, emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility in combating terrorism with the United Nations continuing to play central and coordinating role in this area. They also stressed the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach of the whole international community to effectively curb the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat, including in the present-day pandemic environment. They rejected double standards in countering terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism. They called for an expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework and for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, at the Conference of Disarmament.

14.The Ministers called for continued efforts to strengthen the system of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements and to preserve its integrity for maintaining global stability and international peace and security, and stressed further the need to maintain the effectiveness and efficiency as well as the consensus-based nature of the relevant multilateral instruments in the field of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.

15.The Ministers called for strengtheningthe system of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, including theConvention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction(BTWC)andthe Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction(CWC),andforpreservingtheirintegrityand effectivenesstomaintain global stability and international peace and security.They underlined the need to comply with and strengthen the BTWC, including by adopting a legally binding Protocol to the Convention that provides for, inter alia, an efficient verification mechanism.TheMinistersreassertedtheirsupport forensuringthe long-term sustainability of outer space activities and prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) andofits weaponization,includingthroughnegotiationsto adopta relevantlegally binding multilateralinstrument. Theyrecognized the valueofthe updatedDraft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects(PPWT)submittedtothe Conference on Disarmamentin 2014.They stressed that practical Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs), may also contribute to PAROS.

16.The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a world free of nuclear weaponsandstressed their strong commitment to nuclear disarmamentandtheir support to the work on this subject during the session of 2022 of the Conference on Disarmament.Theynotedthe Joint Statement of the Leaders of the People’s Republic ofChina, the French Republic, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United Stateson Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races on 3 January 2022,in particular the affirmation that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.

17.The Ministersreaffirmed theircommitment to the promotionof an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT-environment,underscoredthe importance of enhancing common understandings and intensifying cooperationin the use of ICTsand Internet. Theysupported the leading role of the United Nations in promoting constructive dialogue on ensuring ICT-security, including within the UN Open-Ended Working Group on security of and in the use of ICTs 2021-2025, and developing a universal legal framework in thisrealm.Theycalled for a comprehensive, balanced, objective approach to the development and security of ICT products and systems.Theyunderscored the importance of establishing legal frameworks ofcooperation among BRICS countries on ensuring security in the use of ICTs. They also acknowledged the need to advance practical intra-BRICS cooperation through implementation of the BRICS Roadmap of Practical Cooperation on ensuring security in the use of ICTs and the activities of the BRICS Working Group on security in the use of ICTs.

18.The Ministers supportedinformationexchanges and technical cooperation on AI technology.They recalled the declaration of the 7th BRICS Communications Ministers meeting recognizing the rapid developments and huge potential of Artificial Intelligence technologies and its value to economic growth.Theyacknowledged the need to cooperate with each other to build trust, confidence and security, as well as transparency and accountability in promoting trustworthy AI to maximize its potential for the benefit of society and humanity as whole with specific emphasis on marginalized and vulnerable groups of population. They expressed their concerns on the risk, and ethical dilemma related to Artificial Intelligence, such as privacy, manipulation, bias, human-robot interaction, employment, effects and singularity among others. They encouraged BRICS members to work together to deal with such concerns, sharing best practices, conduct comparative study on the subject toward developing a common governance approach which would guide BRICS members on Ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence while facilitating the development of AI.

19. The Ministers, while emphasizing the formidable potential of the ICTs for growth and development, recognized new associated possibilities they bring for criminal activities and threats, andexpressed concern over the rising level and complexity of criminal misuse of ICTs. They welcomed theongoing work in theUN Open-Ended Ad Hoc Committee of Experts to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes and reaffirmed their commitment tocooperating in theimplementation ofthemandate adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution 75/282.

20. The Ministersreiterated the need for all countries to cooperate in promoting and protectinghuman rightsand fundamental freedoms under the principles of equality and mutual respect.They agreed to continue to treatall human rights including the right to development in a fair and equal manner,on the same footingandwith the same emphasis.They agreed to strengthen cooperation on issues of common interests both within BRICS and in multilateral fora including the United NationsGeneral Assembly andHuman Rights Council, taking into account the necessity to promote, protect and fulfil human rights in a non-selective, non-politicised and constructive mannerand without double standards.

21. The Ministerscalled for the respect of democracy and human rights. In this regard, they underlined that they should be implemented on the level of global governance as well as at national level.They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the promotion and protection of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all with the aim to build a brighter shared future for the international community based on mutually beneficial cooperation.

22. The Ministers commended China’s Chairship for hosting the Dialogue session under the theme “Increased Role of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries in Global Governance”.

23.The Ministers recalled the BRICS efforts of extending its cooperation to other developing countries and emerging marketsand supported further promoting the BRICSOutreach andBRICS Plus Cooperation,in line with the updated Terms of Reference adopted by the BRICS Sherpas in 2021through inclusive and equal-footed and flexible practices and initiatives.

24. The Ministers supported promoting discussions among BRICS members on BRICS expansionprocess. They stressed the need toclarifythe guiding principles,the standards, criteria and procedures for thisexpansionprocess.

25. Brazil, Russia, India and South Africaextended theirsupporttoChina’s BRICS Chairship in 2022underthe themeof“Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development”. Theyarefullycommitted toworking together to ensurethe success of the 14thBRICS Summit.