XI: SEIZE HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE GLOBAL SOUTH

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 13 /SRNA/ – BRICS countries must seize the historic opportunity to unite the countries of the Global South so that they can play an active, stable and constructive role in international affairs and contribute to the overall well-being of humanity, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, stressing that this is essential for stabilizing the world and putting it on a better path of development.

Speaking today during the second session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Xi delivered a speech titled "Building the Foundations for BRICS Cooperation and Strengthening the Global South", in which he said that the profound changes taking place in the world are accelerating, while the rise of the Global South has become a key driving force behind the emergence of a multipolar world. At the same time, he said, the international situation has become increasingly complex, with conflicts multiplying and new risks and challenges constantly emerging. Xi said that Global South countries must work together to uphold the international rule of law and adhere to the basic norms governing international relations, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes. At the same time, the Chinese leader said, international law and international norms must be applied equally, without double standards. "We must hold high the banner of multilateralism, uphold the authority and role of the United Nations, support the reform and improvement of multilateral institutions, and promote reform of the World Trade Organization. We must remain committed to a people-centered approach to development and facilitate implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Xi said. It is also necessary, Xi added, to jointly promote security governance, respond to traditional and non-traditional security threats, improve global climate governance and accelerate the establishment of a global framework for governing artificial intelligence based on broad consensus, so that new technologies can help pave the way towards shared prosperity, the China Media Group reported. Xi stressed that for "Greater BRICS" to achieve major results and strong development, it must strengthen the foundations of practical cooperation. According to him, it is necessary to capitalize on the advantages of emerging markets and closer links with the Global South, maintain openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, preserve the stability and continuity of industrial and supply chains, develop an integrated large market, create innovation incubators, upgrade traditional industries, develop new industries and plan for the industries of the future. Xi outlined five initiatives to deepen cooperation within BRICS, the first of which is an initiative for open-source development and universal access to artificial intelligence. Under the initiative, China will be the first to establish a dedicated open-source AI zone for BRICS countries, support cooperation in the development and application of large language models, organize specialized AI training and build an open AI ecosystem. The second initiative focuses on facilitating trade and investment. China has proposed establishing a partnership among the special economic zones of BRICS countries, creating a smart portal, aligning policies and opening up new space for high-level economic development. China will also host a BRICS forum on trade in services next year, creating new areas of growth for trade and economic cooperation. The third initiative concerns cooperation in digital industries. China will encourage the establishment of a BRICS digital industries platform and organize digital skills training, technical exchanges and industrial cooperation with the aim of jointly developing the digital economy. The fourth initiative relates to smart manufacturing. China is ready to help BRICS countries build smart factories, establish systems of standards and norms, and jointly promote the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector. Under the fifth initiative, focused on developing scientific and technical talent, China has proposed establishing a BRICS Engineers Training Alliance, organizing joint training programs for engineers and promoting mutual recognition of competency standards. China will also implement a BRICS Youth Scientists and Innovators Exchange Program aimed at training a larger pool of highly qualified scientific and technical professionals. In his speech, Xi stressed that this year marked the beginning of the implementation of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. The plan, he said, is not only a blueprint for China's own development, but also a plan for cooperation with the world as a whole. Under the plan, China will continue to promote high-quality development, expand high-level opening-up, implement the Global Development Initiative, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, share development opportunities and work together with countries around the world to create prosperity, while writing a new chapter of solidarity and self-reliance for the Global South. The meeting was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the foreign ministers of Brazil and Saudi Arabia, leaders and representatives of BRICS partner and guest countries, as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and heads of other international organizations. The meeting was chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.