BRICS leaders have established a logistics supply chain cooperation framework as the bloc seeks to strengthen trade links and reduce the risks created by protectionism and geopolitical disruption.
The BRICS Logistics Supply-Chain Cooperation Framework was welcomed in the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit in India last week.
However, the declaration does not provide details about how the framework will operate, which transport corridors it will cover or when it will be implemented.
Leaders agreed to continue developing cross-border payment mechanisms that could facilitate trade settlements and investment using BRICS members’ national currencies.
The BRICS Payment Task Force is examining the interoperability of national payment and messaging systems as well as cross-border settlement and depositary infrastructure.
The initiative intends to reduce transaction risks and improve financial connectivity between member countries although no implementation deadline was announced.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said greater use of national currencies and stronger payment infrastructure could improve the bloc’s economic resilience.
“BRICS must press ahead with greater use of local currencies, stronger cross-border payment systems and deeper financial interconnectivity,” he said.
The declaration also records progress towards a BRICS agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters. Members that are ready to participate will proceed with signing the agreement once their domestic processes have been completed.
The bloc plans to strengthen cooperation between authorised economic operator programmes through the voluntary implementation of the BRICS AEO Action Plan 2026. This includes information exchange, capacity building and work towards mutual recognition, subject to members’ domestic frameworks.
BRICS leaders also support efforts to conduct joint customs enforcement operations addressing agreed cross-border smuggling risks.
The summit outcomes come amid concern about the growing use of tariffs, non-tariff barriers and unilateral sanctions.
“We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules, whether in the form of indiscriminate raising of tariffs and non-tariff measures or protectionism under the guise of environmental objectives,” the declaration states.
Leaders warned that these measures could reduce global trade, disrupt supply chains and create further uncertainty for international commerce.
The bloc committed to supporting reforms aimed at strengthening the World Trade Organization’s response to trade disruptions and restoring its two-tier dispute-settlement system.
Critical mineral supply chains were another focus of the summit.
Ramaphosa called for mineral-rich developing economies to undertake more processing domestically rather than exporting unprocessed resources.
“It is important that markets for critical minerals and transition technologies are built on transparency and that value chains are diversified and responsible,” he said.
“To ensure inclusive growth in Africa and other regions of the world, beneficiation of minerals must take place at source.”
The declaration supports the development of reliable, diversified and sustainable critical mineral supply chains that promote value addition, benefit sharing and economic diversification in resource-rich countries.
