BRICS leaders urge UN Security Council reform and first woman secretary-general

September 13, 2026 at 11:30 AM2 min

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BRICS leaders, in the New Delhi Declaration marking the group's 20th anniversary, called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to increase representation of developing countries. They also highlighted that no woman has ever been elected UN Secretary-General and urged greater female representation in senior UN positions. The declaration was adopted at the 18th BRICS summit.

Key Facts

The New Delhi Declaration was adopted at the 18th BRICS summit, marking the group's 20th anniversary.
BRICS leaders reaffirmed support for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient.
The declaration notes that no woman has ever been elected UN Secretary-General, and only one representative from Latin America and the Caribbean has held the post.
China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reaffirmed support for Brazil and India's aspirations to play a greater role in the UN, including in the Security Council.
BRICS leaders expressed regret over attempts by certain states to unilaterally undermine multilateral institutions, including by deliberately delaying payment of assessed contributions.

UN Security Council Reform

BRICS leaders, citing the 2022 Beijing Declaration and the 2023 Johannesburg II Declaration, confirmed support for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council. The reform aims to make the Council more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in its membership. The declaration states that Security Council reform should strengthen the voice of the Global South and recognizes the legitimate aspirations of African states as reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. China and Russia, as permanent members of the Security Council, reaffirmed support for Brazil and India's aspirations to play a more significant role in the UN, including in the Security Council.

Secretary-General Selection and Representation

The declaration notes that during the ongoing selection process for a new UN Secretary-General, only one representative from Latin America and the Caribbean, and two each from Africa and Asia, have ever held the post. It separately emphasizes that no woman has ever been elected Secretary-General. BRICS called for fair geographical representation in the UN Secretariat and other international organizations, eliminating the persistent underrepresentation of developing countries, including in senior and leadership positions. The declaration also calls for increasing the share of women at all levels of leadership in these structures. Selection and appointment of executive heads of UN bodies and other senior positions should be based on transparency and inclusiveness, in accordance with Article 101 of the UN Charter and the rule that senior posts cannot be monopolized by citizens of one state or group of states.