BRICS Leaders Oppose Unilateral CBAMs, Call For Fairer Global Trade Framework

New Delhi, Sep 14 (KNN) BRICS leaders on Saturday opposed unilateral, punitive and discriminatory measures such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), saying such steps undermine developing countries' efforts to address climate change.

In the New Delhi Declaration, the leaders said, “We oppose unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist measures that are not in line with international law, such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms, and express concern that such measures undermine efforts by countries, specifically the developing countries, aimed at addressing the adverse impacts of climate change, increasing adaptive capacity and resilience,” PTI reported.

A CBAM imposes an additional charge on carbon-intensive imports based on emissions generated during production. The European Union and the UK have announced plans to introduce such measures. Indian exports potentially affected include iron and steel, cement, fertilisers and aluminium.

BRICS Pushes Cooperation on AI, Intellectual Property

The leaders agreed to expand cooperation among BRICS intellectual property offices on IP awareness, capacity building, commercialisation, patent examination, traditional knowledge, Appellations of Origin, Geographical Indications (GIs) and AI applications.

“We recognise the importance of collaborating on promoting respect for the intellectual property rights used in the digital environment, including for artificial intelligence training purposes, as well as fair remuneration to right holders, while respecting the needs and priorities of developing countries,” the Declaration noted.

The declaration also flagged risks of misappropriation and misrepresentation of knowledge, heritage and cultural values that may be inadequately represented in datasets and AI models.

Focus on Resilient Global Value Chains

BRICS leaders reiterated their commitment to making global value chains (GVCs) resilient, efficient, predictable, transparent, secure, fair, stable and inclusive.

They expressed an intention to explore policy measures to strengthen intra-BRICS trade and backed the implementation of the BRICS Shared Understanding on GVCs and further development of the BRICS GVC Action Plan 2026-2030.

The leaders called for greater technical cooperation to digitise GVCs and facilitate trade through capacity building, improved connectivity, critical infrastructure, industrial capacity, IP protection and safe, secure and affordable access to technology.

SEZs to Support Trade and Investment

The declaration called for greater use of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across BRICS to promote trade, investment, industrial cooperation and innovation and support integration into resilient and sustainable GVCs.

“We aim to build cooperation in connectivity and trade facilitation inter alia digitisation of trade documentation for stakeholders to operate in a more efficient, transparent, and seamless environment, taking into consideration different capacities of each BRICS Member,” it said, as quoted by PTI.

“We acknowledge that BRICS members represent a broad diversity of societies and civilisations that are affected differently by unjustified unilateral protectionist measures inconsistent with WTO rules, and that BRICS should focus on promoting a just and fair, stable and predictable environment for mutually beneficial sustainable development,” the declaration further said.

They also agreed to work towards broader and more equitable participation of developing countries and emerging markets in higher-value segments of global manufacturing and production through trade and investment initiatives, technical cooperation, technology transfer and development of productive capacities.

(KNN Bureau)