At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the Global South to transition from being "rule-followers" to "rule-shapers" in global governance. He highlighted that while the Global South faces the brunt of global crises, it lacks a meaningful voice in decision-making, comparing the current global governance structure to a "pyramid of privilege" where power is concentrated at the top.
Modi proposed a 10-point roadmap for global governance reform, to be finalized by the next summit, focusing on three key aspects: representation, responsiveness, and rule-making. Under representation, he stressed the urgent need for UN Security Council reforms with a definite timeframe and clear outcomes, and called for voting power and leadership positions in international financial institutions to reflect current economic realities. For responsiveness, he suggested a 'Seafarers' Emergency Support Network' to protect sailors.
The third pillar, rule-making, emphasized the Global South's increased involvement in setting international norms for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology, and other critical technologies. He also proposed a "BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism" with a secure digital repository to track decisions and ensure initiatives maintain momentum despite rotating presidencies. Leaders present at the summit included Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
