BRICS carries the work the G20 left behind

Source: Mail & Guardian | Original Published At: 2026-09-14 10:17:52 UTC

Key Points

• BRICS leaders adopted a New Delhi declaration that includes common guidelines for integrating disaster early-warning data.
• The same document establishes an expert network on asset recovery and a shared repository for tracing fugitives wanted in corruption cases.
• During India's 2026 BRICS chair, disaster, anti-corruption, environment, energy, and health officials adopted statements or frameworks on early warning, adaptation finance, grids and storage, and disease outbreak warning.
• The article links BRICS early-warning work to the Nepal glacier collapse and flood, noting the absence of cross-border warning channels.
• It cites the New Development Bank's approved $42.9 billion across 139 projects while questioning whether BRICS communiqués translate into funded action.
• It says BRICS remains inclusive because members are not asked to choose between BRICS and other forums, while noting criticisms of the bloc's lack of a permanent secretariat and internal compromises.
• The piece sets future tests on whether the New Development Bank funds early-warning systems and whether the asset-recovery network processes actual extradition requests.