On the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation among Global South nations by presenting a series of five initiatives aimed at bolstering collaboration among emerging economies. Xi underscored the importance of crafting global rules that involve all nations, advocating for BRICS members to uphold principles such as international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He also criticized the “might makes right” mindset and called for uniform application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives encompass key areas like artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. China suggested the establishment of a BRICS AI open-source community to foster cooperation on large language models and to develop an inclusive AI ecosystem. In addition, a trade and investment facilitation initiative was introduced, featuring a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and the creation of a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
In the realm of digital cooperation, plans were unveiled for a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, which would include digital skills training and technology exchanges. The intelligent manufacturing initiative aims to support the development of smart factories and establish common standards to modernize the manufacturing sector. These efforts are intended to streamline and advance manufacturing processes across member nations.
The fifth initiative focuses on nurturing science and technology talent, proposing the formation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and youth exchange programs. These efforts are designed to promote innovation and cultivate skilled professionals within the member countries, ensuring that the workforce is well-equipped to tackle future challenges and contribute to sustainable growth.