United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, marking a significant engagement between the United Nations and the grouping of emerging economies.
The summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam and will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
India, which assumed the BRICS chairship for 2026 on January 1, has placed the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” at the centre of its chairship. The agenda reflects India’s emphasis on strengthening cooperation among developing and emerging economies while addressing global challenges through multilateral partnerships.
The participation of the UN Secretary-General is expected to add further weight to discussions at the summit, which comes at a time of significant geopolitical, economic and strategic shifts. His presence will also underscore the importance of multilateral cooperation and coordination between BRICS and the wider international community.
India Takes Fourth BRICS Chairship:
India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The 2026 chairship marks India’s fourth tenure at the helm of the grouping.
The year is particularly significant for BRICS as the grouping commemorates its 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, BRICS has evolved from a grouping of major emerging economies into a broader platform for dialogue and cooperation on economic, developmental and global governance issues.
Under its current chairship, India is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation across areas aligned with resilience, innovation, sustainability and inclusive development. The summit will provide an opportunity for participating countries to exchange views on shared priorities and explore avenues for deeper collaboration.
Leaders to Converge in New Delhi:
The upcoming summit is expected to serve as a key platform for consultations among BRICS members, partner countries and invited nations. The participation of outreach invitees is aimed at broadening the dialogue and strengthening engagement with countries beyond the core grouping.
With India hosting the summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi is set to become the focal point of high-level diplomatic engagement as leaders deliberate on issues of common interest and the future direction of BRICS.
The 18th BRICS Summit, therefore, carries added significance for India as it combines the country’s fourth BRICS chairship with the grouping’s 20th anniversary, while placing greater emphasis on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability as pillars of collective action.
(Image courtesy : AIR)
