The leaders of BRICS countries on Thursday pledged strengthened solidarity among the five emerging markets and developing countries as they met for the 14th BRICS Summit via video link.

Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the summit, with attendance of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In his welcoming remarks, Xi said that the summit was held at a critical juncture in the shaping of the future course of humanity, and that BRICS countries should act with a sense of responsibility, and speak out for equity and justice.

BRICS is the acronym for an emerging market group that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Xi delivered a key note speech titled "Fostering High-quality Partnership and Embarking on a New Journey of BRICS Cooperation," and stressed the need to uphold solidarity and safeguard world peace and tranquility, and maintain cooperation to boost development and jointly tackle risks and challenges.

The countries should also uphold the pioneering spirit and innovation and unleash the potential and vitality of cooperation, and uphold openness and inclusiveness and pool collective wisdom and strength, said the Chinese president.

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China calls on BRICS countries to foster high-quality partnership

The leaders attending the summit thanked China for hosting this event and the efforts it made for promoting BRICS cooperation.

They believe that facing international uncertainties, BRICS countries should strengthen solidarity, carry forward the BRICS spirit, consolidate strategic partnership and jointly respond to various challenges so that BRICS cooperation can reach a new level and play a bigger role in international affairs.

New era for BRICS partnership

At the summit under the theme of "Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development," leaders of the five countries had an in-depth exchange of views on BRICS cooperation in various sectors and major issues of common concern, reaching an important consensus.

They agreed to stay committed to multilateralism, work for greater democracy in global governance, safeguard fairness and justice, and inject stability and positive energy into the turbulent international landscape.

They also agreed to jointly respond to COVID-19, give full play to such mechanisms as the BRICS Vaccine R&D Center, promote fair and equitable distribution of vaccines, and enhance preparedness in the face of public health crises.

The leaders said the five countries should deepen practical economic cooperation, firmly defend the multilateral trading system, foster an open world economy, oppose unilateral sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction," strengthen cooperation in such fields as digital economy, technological innovation, industrial and supply chains, food and energy security, and jointly promote world economic recovery.

They agreed to promote shared global development, give priority to addressing the most pressing needs of developing countries, eradicate poverty and hunger, jointly address the challenge posed by climate change, expand the application of such technologies as aerospace and big data in the field of development, accelerate the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and make BRICS contribution to ushering in a new era of global development.

The five countries should also strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and mutual learning and forge more signature projects in various sectors including think tanks, political parties, media and sports, said the leaders. 

They also agreed to pursue "BRICS Plus" cooperation at more levels, in broader areas and within a greater scope, actively advance the BRICS membership expansion process, keep BRICS abreast of the times, increase its appeal and relevance, and constantly strive for substantive, solid and sustained progress.

The XIV BRICS Summit Beijing Declaration was adopted and released at the event.

The BRICS leaders were also briefed by representatives of relevant BRICS cooperation mechanisms on their work.