BRICS Summits 2009 to 2026: Host Countries, Themes and Major Outcomes

BRICS Summits 2009 to 2026: Know the host countries, themes, major outcomes, membership expansion, New Delhi Summit 2026 and key facts for government exams.

BRICS Evolution from BRIC to a Major Global Platform

BRICS has evolved from a four-country economic grouping into a broader platform for political, economic, financial and development cooperation among emerging economies. The acronym BRIC was coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs to describe Brazil, Russia, India and China as economies with significant long-term growth potential. The four countries later established a formal cooperation mechanism, and the first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.

South Africa Joins and BRICS Takes Shape

South Africa joined the grouping in 2011, converting BRIC into BRICS. Its inclusion expanded the geographical representation of the forum and strengthened its association with the Global South. From this stage, the agenda gradually moved beyond economic issues to include development, global governance, climate change, health, food and energy security, technology and counter-terrorism.

Early BRICS Summits Focused on Global Economic Reform

The first BRICS summits were strongly influenced by the global financial crisis of 2008. The member countries sought greater representation for emerging economies in international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The 2009 Yekaterinburg Summit called for a more representative and multipolar international order, while the 2010 Brasília Summit continued discussions on reforming the global financial system.

2012 New Delhi Summit Strengthened Institutional Cooperation

India hosted the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi in 2012 under the theme “BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity”. The summit adopted the Delhi Declaration and strengthened cooperation in areas including sustainable development, food security and energy security. Discussions also advanced the proposal for a new development bank and financial safety mechanisms for member countries.

2014 Fortaleza Summit Created Major Financial Institutions

The 2014 BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, was a major institutional milestone. Members agreed to establish the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement. The New Development Bank was designed to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects, while the Contingent Reserve Arrangement was intended to provide liquidity support during financial pressures.

BRICS Expands Cooperation in Security, Technology and Development

Subsequent summits broadened the organisation’s agenda. The 2015 Ufa Summit focused on economic partnership, security and counter-terrorism. The 2016 Goa Summit placed greater emphasis on renewable energy, health, counter-terrorism and cooperation with BIMSTEC. The 2017 Xiamen Summit introduced the BRICS Plus outreach model, increasing engagement with countries outside the core membership.

Digital Economy and Innovation Become Important Themes

The 2018 Johannesburg Summit highlighted the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital economy, while the 2019 Brasília Summit emphasised science, technology, innovation and trade. During the COVID-19 period, BRICS cooperation increasingly addressed public health, economic recovery and resilience. The 2021 India-hosted virtual summit adopted a Counter-Terrorism Action Plan and advanced cooperation on remote-sensing satellite data.

BRICS Expansion Becomes a Major Development

The 2023 Johannesburg Summit marked another important phase in BRICS evolution. Six countries—Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE—were invited to join. The expansion subsequently brought several new members into the grouping, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE becoming members in 2024, while Indonesia joined as the eleventh full member in January 2025.

2024 and 2025 Summits Strengthened the Expanded BRICS Framework

The 2024 Kazan Summit in Russia was the first summit following the major expansion and focused on multilateralism, development and financial cooperation. Discussions around local-currency transactions and the partner-country framework gained greater importance. In 2025, Brazil hosted the summit in Rio de Janeiro, where Indonesia was formally welcomed as a full member and issues concerning Global South cooperation and reform of global governance remained central.

India Hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026

India assumed the BRICS chairship for 2026 and hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026. The summit was held at Bharat Mandapam under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. This was India’s fourth BRICS chairship, following its earlier presidencies in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

India’s 2026 Chairship Focuses on Resilience and Cooperation

India’s 2026 chairship has emphasised development, sustainability, innovation, institutional effectiveness and cooperation among emerging economies. The wider BRICS agenda includes areas such as trade, finance, technology, health, climate action, energy security and reform of international institutions. The 2026 summit also produced the New Delhi Declaration, covering cooperation in areas including trade, health, tourism, artificial intelligence and institutional reform.

BRICS Has Become More Representative of the Global South

As of 2026, BRICS comprises 11 full members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. According to the Government of India, these countries together account for about 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade. The grouping therefore represents a significant share of global economic and demographic activity.

Why BRICS Summits Matter for Competitive Examinations

BRICS summits are important for UPSC, State PSC, banking, SSC, railway, defence and other government examinations because questions can cover host countries, summit themes, membership changes, major declarations and institutions such as the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement. Candidates should particularly remember the first summit in 2009, South Africa’s entry in 2011, the creation of major financial mechanisms in 2014, the 2023 expansion decision, Indonesia’s full membership in 2025 and India’s 2026 chairship.

Why This News Is Important

Importance for Global Governance

BRICS has become an important forum through which emerging economies coordinate positions on global economic and political issues. Its expansion has increased the geographical and demographic diversity of the grouping and strengthened its relevance to discussions concerning the Global South. The organisation also advocates greater representation for developing and emerging economies in international institutions.

Importance for India’s Foreign Policy

India’s fourth BRICS chairship in 2026 is significant because it provides another opportunity for New Delhi to shape the agenda of a major multilateral platform. India’s stated focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability connects BRICS with issues such as development, technology, climate action and institutional reform.

Importance for the Global Economy

BRICS countries collectively account for a substantial share of the world’s population, GDP and trade. The grouping has also developed financial institutions and mechanisms intended to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies. The New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement are particularly important examples of institutional cooperation within BRICS.

Importance for Current Affairs Preparation

For competitive-exam aspirants, BRICS provides questions from international relations, economics, current affairs and static general knowledge. The year-wise sequence of summits, host cities, themes, membership expansion and major outcomes can be directly tested in objective examinations. The 2026 New Delhi Summit is especially relevant because India is the host and chairing country.

Importance of the 2026 New Delhi Summit

The 2026 summit is significant because it represents the first BRICS leaders’ summit hosted by India after the grouping expanded to 11 full members. The New Delhi Declaration addressed multiple areas of cooperation, including trade, health, artificial intelligence, tourism and institutional reform. The summit therefore illustrates the transformation of BRICS from a primarily economic forum into a broad platform for international cooperation.

Historical Context of BRICS

Origin of the BRIC Concept

The term BRIC was coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in a report that identified Brazil, Russia, India and China as major emerging economies with substantial future growth potential. The concept initially described an economic trend rather than a formal international organisation.

Formation of the Formal Grouping

The four countries established BRIC as a formal political cooperation forum in 2006. Their common interests included greater representation for emerging economies and developing countries in international financial and political institutions. The first leaders’ summit was subsequently held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.

Inclusion of South Africa

South Africa joined the grouping in 2011, resulting in the name BRICS. This step gave the grouping a stronger African presence and broadened its geographical representation. The organisation subsequently expanded its agenda to development, health, climate action, technology, trade and other areas of international cooperation.

Creation of the New Development Bank

The 2014 Fortaleza Summit was a landmark in the institutional development of BRICS. The members agreed to establish the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement. These mechanisms were intended to support infrastructure and sustainable development financing and provide financial assistance during liquidity pressures.

Expansion into an 11-Member Group

The Johannesburg Summit of 2023 initiated a major expansion of BRICS. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE became full members in 2024, while Indonesia joined in 2025. The expansion increased the group’s presence across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America and created a broader framework for South-South cooperation.

BRICS in 2026

By 2026, BRICS had developed into an 11-member grouping with cooperation extending across economic, financial, technological, environmental, health and geopolitical issues. India’s 2026 chairship and the New Delhi Summit represent another stage in this evolution, with an emphasis on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.

Key Takeaways from BRICS Summits 2009–2026

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BRICS?

BRICS is a multilateral grouping of major emerging and developing economies that cooperate on economic, financial, political, technological, developmental and other global issues.

2. What does BRICS stand for?

BRICS originally represented Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping began as BRIC and became BRICS after South Africa joined.

3. When was the first BRICS Summit held?

The first BRIC Summit was held in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

4. When did South Africa join BRICS?

South Africa joined the grouping in 2011, changing the name from BRIC to BRICS.

5. Which BRICS Summit was held in India in 2026?

India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

6. How many full members does BRICS have in 2026?

BRICS has 11 full members in 2026: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The 2026 New Delhi Declaration also refers to the expanded BRICS framework and its partner countries.

7. Which country will host the BRICS Summit in 2027?

China is scheduled to hold the BRICS chairship and host the 19th BRICS Summit in 2027.

8. What was the major financial institution created by BRICS?

The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by BRICS countries to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

9. What is the Contingent Reserve Arrangement?

The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a BRICS financial safety mechanism intended to provide support in cases of balance-of-payments and short-term liquidity pressures.

10. What was the major declaration adopted at the 2026 BRICS Summit?

The leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, covering areas including global governance, economic cooperation, technology, climate action, energy, development and international peace and security.

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