New Delhi, India -BRICS says it will strengthen cooperation within its grouping in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to drive socio-economic growth and digital transformation.
“We recognise the transformative impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a key driver of socio-economic growth and digital transformation in BRICS countries and reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening collaboration in this regard, based on each country's national priorities and international commitments,” BRICS said in the New Delhi Declaration adopted on Saturday.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday and Sunday under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting a people-centred and humanity-first approach.
The grouping called for concerted and inclusive efforts to address challenges stemming from and within the digital realm, such as threats to security in the use of ICTs, malicious software, data security, and the misuse of technologies including cybercrime, misinformation, hate speech, disinformation and deepfakes.
“We call for a comprehensive, balanced, and objective approach to the development and security of ICT products and systems as well as for the development and implementation of globally interoperable common rules and standards for supply chain security. We emphasise the growing importance of telecommunications for the preservation of peace and economic and social development.
“We reaffirm our support for an open, safe, secure, stable, accessible, peaceful, and interoperable ICT environment while respecting sovereignty and national security of each country and welcome the operationalisation of the Global Mechanism on Developments in the Field of ICTs in the Context of International Security and Advancing Responsible States Behaviour in the Use of ICTs,” BRICS said.
The grouping emphasised the importance of promoting the use of ICT for peaceful and developmental purposes and in a more inclusive, accessible, sustainable and interoperable manner, and ensuring that its applications remain people-centred.
The New Delhi Declaration comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
Illicit financial flows
BRICS expressed concern about illicit financial flows, including the financing of terrorism, trafficking of firearms, trafficking in persons, the laundering of drug-related crime proceeds, use of ICTs for criminal purposes, illegal virtual asset flows, corruption and related illicit activities, money laundering, and financial fraud through organised crimes.
The group also condemned the circumvention of domestic regulatory frameworks that have an adverse impact on economic stability, sustainable development and the integrity of the international financial system and organized crime.
“We also express concern about financing of terrorism. We recognise that these activities, including the illicit use of virtual assets and violations of domestic regulatory frameworks, may adversely affect economic stability, sustainable development and the integrity of the international financial system.
“We express serious concerns over the proliferation of organised scam networks, including cross-border fraud operations and so-called scam compounds, which exploit digital technologies, payment systems and individuals in vulnerable situations.”
The formation further underscored the importance of coordinated international action to dismantle these illegal networks, trace and recover criminal proceeds, protect victims, and prevent the misuse of financial institutions and emerging payment methods for large-scale fraud.
“We further stress the need to enhance cross-border cooperation among customs authorities, financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, tax authorities and supervisory bodies, including through relevant existing BRICS Working Groups and based on the documents adopted in BRICS, as well as the relevant international legal instruments to which the BRICS countries are parties, telecommunication providers and technology platforms.”
This includes improved information-sharing, a risk-based approach, use of data analytics and capacity-building, to effectively identify, detect and disrupt money laundering schemes involving both goods and services, including those exploiting the misuse of invoicing practices, professional services and cross-border contractual arrangements.
“We encourage enhanced cooperation in strengthening digital financial security, including prevention of fraud in cross-border payment systems.
“We express concern over the situation with illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse worldwide, and recognise that it seriously threatens public security, health, safety and well-being of humankind and undermines the sustainable development of States,” BRICS said.
BRICS has expanded from its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia as full members.
The 2025 partner-country framework includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
According to India’s BRICS presidency, the 11 member countries account for about 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global gross domestic product and 26% of global trade.
The grouping provides a platform for consultation and cooperation on global and regional matters, including political, economic, financial and people-to-people cooperation. - SAnews.gov.za
