On 9 July 2008, leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) held a brief meeting and took group photos during the dialogue meeting between the leaders of the G8 and the five developing nations in Hokkaido, Japan.
The First BRIC Summit was held in June 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia to discuss issues including the global financial crisis, the international situation, future direction of BRIC dialogue and cooperation, the G20 Summit, reform of international financial institutions, food security, energy security, climate change, development assistance, the Heiligendamm Process and prospects for BRIC dialogue. The Summit issued a joint statement that called for a greater say and representation of emerging markets and developing countries in international financial institutions, and adopted a Joint Statement on Global Food Security.
The Second BRIC Summit was held in April 2010 in Brasilia, Brazil. The leaders discussed issues including the international situation, the global financial crisis, the selection mechanism of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) senior management, G20 affairs, climate change, United Nations (UN) reform, international and regional hot-spot issues and BRIC cooperation. The Summit issued a joint statement and agreed on concrete measures to promote BRIC cooperation and coordination.
South Africa was invited to join BRIC in December 2010, after which the group adopted the acronym BRICS. Former President Jacob Zuma subsequently attended the Third BRICS Summit in Sanya, China, in March 2011. The theme was “Broad Vision, Shared Prosperity”. Agenda items included the international situation, global economy and international finance, development and BRICS cooperation. The Summit issued the Sanya Declaration and its Action Plan. On the sidelines, the Meeting of Trade Ministers, an Academic Forum, a Financial Forum and a Business Forum were held.
The Fourth BRICs Summit was held in March 2012 in New Delhi, India. The theme was “BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity”. The leaders discussed issues including global governance and sustainable development. The Summit issued the New Delhi Declaration and Action Plan and the BRICS Report on BRICS countries’ developing prospects, the cooperation process and areas with competitive advantage to enable BRIC countries to play a more important role in the global economy in the post-financial crisis era.
The Fifth BRICS Summit was held in March 2013 in Durban, South Africa under theme “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialization”. The Summit issued the eThekwini Declaration and Action Plan, and decided to set up the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement. The establishment of the BRICS Business Council and Think Tank Council was announced. The BRICS Leaders-Africa Dialogue Forum was held during the Summit.
The Sixth BRICS Summit was held in July 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil under the theme “Inclusive Growth: Sustainable Solutions”. The leaders discussed such issues as political coordination, sustainable development and inclusive growth. The Summit issued the Fortaleza Declaration and Action Plan. The leaders witnessed the signing of the Agreement on the New Development Bank and the Treaty for the Establishment of a BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement. BRICS Leaders meeting with South American Heads of Government and/or State was held during the Summit.
The Seventh BRICS Summit was held in July 2015 in Ufa, Russia under the theme “BRICS Partnership - a Powerful Factor of Global Development”. The leaders discussed issues including global political and economic issues and BRICS cooperation. The Summit issued the Ufa Declaration and Action Plan, and adopted the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership. The BRICS Leaders also held a meeting with the leaders of Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the leaders of observer countries during the Summit.
The Eight BRICS Summit was held in October 2016 in Goa, India under the theme “Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions”. The leaders discussed issues including international political and economic situation, global governance, counter-terrorism, climate change, Sustainable Development Goals, BRICS cooperation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Summit issued the Goa Declaration and Action Plan, and reiterated the commitment to strengthening BRICS partnership. Outreach Summit of BRICS Leaders with the Leaders of BIMSTEC Member Countries was held during the Summit.
The Ninth BRICS Summit was held in Xiamen, China under the theme “BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future”. The leaders built on achievements already made with a share vision for future development of BRICS, discussed international and regional issues of common concern and adopted the Xiamen Declaration.
Besides these engagements, BRICS Leaders held informal meetings during the G20 Cannes Summit in November 2011, the Los Cabos Summit in June 2012, the St. Petersburg Summit in September 2013, the Brisbane Summit in November 2014, the Antalya Summit in November 2015, and the Hangzhou Summit in September 2016, to exchange views on international and regional issues of common interest.
Documents of previous summits and engagements
Xiamen Declaration (download the PDF version of the report)
Goa Declaration (download the PDF version of the report)
BRICS Leaders' Informal Meeting on the margins of the G20 Summit, Hangzhou, China, 4 September 2016 (download the PDF version of the report)
Media Note on the Informal Meeting of BRICS Leaders on the occasion of the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Brisbane, 15 November 2014 (download the PDF version of the report)
Fortaleza Declaration (download the PDF version of the report)
Media Note at the conclusion of the BRICS Leaders' meeting held on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit, St Petersburg, Russia, 5 September 2013 (download the PDF version of the report)
Media Note on the Informal Meeting of BRICS Leaders Ahead of G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Los Cabos, 18 June 2012 (download the PDF version of the report)
eThekwini Declaration (download the PDF version of the report)
Delhi Declaration (download the PDF version of the report)
Sanya Declaration (download the PDF version of the report)
Joint statement by the BRIC Grouping, II Summit of Heads of State/Government, Brasilia, 15 April 2010 (download the PDF version of the report)
Joint statement of the BRIC Leaders, Ekaterinburg, Russia, 16 June 2009 (download the PDF version of the report)