Brasil Hands Over BRICS Presidency to India
On the final day of the 4th Sherpas Meeting, the group's new presidency presented its priorities for 2026. The final session also featured the handover of the BRICS gavel
By Mayara Souto / BRICS Brasil
The 4th BRICS Sherpas Meeting concluded this Friday, December 12, with the formal transmission of the group's presidency from Brasil to India, marked by the handover of the gavel. The new leadership also presented the priorities to be discussed in 2026.
Brasil’s Sherpa, Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, formally transferred the BRICS presidency to India’s Sherpa, Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela. “The discussions over the last two days reaffirm our commitment to strengthen cooperation within the group and with partner countries,” he stated. He thanked everyone and affirmed that he “looks forward to India’s leadership next year and the continuation of the progress achieved thus far.”
During the two-day meeting, the Sherpas reviewed Brasil's BRICS presidency, which focused on six key areas: Global Health Cooperation; Climate Change; Trade, Investment, and Finance; Multilateral Architecture for Peace and Security; Governance of Artificial Intelligence; and Institutional Development.
Indian Presidency
India’s Sherpa acknowledged the achievements under the Brazilian presidency. “Brasil led the BRICS with clarity of purpose and an admirable commitment to building consensus,” he congratulated.
Upon receiving the presidency, Sudhakar Dalela stated that the country is committed to carrying forward the endorsed collective agenda and sustaining the momentum that Brasil generated across the pillars of cooperation.
“Our presidency will remain guided by the fundamental principles of continuity, consolidation, and consensus, while remaining responsive to emerging global developments and the evolving priorities of the Global South,” Sudhakar Dalela further stated.
The Sherpa also presented the BRICS presidency priorities for 2026, which will be structured around four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.
Within the objectives of each area are resolutions already agreed upon during the Brazilian presidency that will be continued, such as the development of systems for climate disaster risk reduction, cooperation for the equitable use of Artificial Intelligence, and the sharing of scientific knowledge and research, among others.
Furthermore, political discussions of extreme relevance to the Global South that guided Brasil’s BRICS presidency will continue: a more inclusive and diverse global governance and the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
The Amazon Gavel
The symbol of the BRICS presidency handover is the delivery of a gavel, produced by the current presidency for the next. Traditionally, the item is crafted to symbolize the host country's culture. In 2024, Brasil received a steel gavel from the then-Russian presidency, produced in the Ural region—a major industrial and mineral center of that country.
For the handover to India, Brasil decided to produce a gavel using repurposed wood from the Amazon Rainforest, sourced from the native trees Itaúba, Pau Rainha, and Jaqueira. The piece was handcrafted by the community of Novo Airão, in Amazonas, through the work of the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation. The project utilizes abandoned wood in rural areas, which would otherwise be burned, to create art.
According to Brasil's Sherpa, Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, the idea is to pass on the concern for sustainability that Brasil championed—with the historic approval of the group's first declaration on climate finance—to the Indian presidency.
“The gavel represents both sustainability and the deep roots of cooperation that unite the group's countries. With this gesture, confidence in India’s upcoming presidency and the commitment to supporting its efforts to advance the BRICS agenda are reaffirmed,” explained the Brazilian Sherpa.
Although the official transfer of the BRICS presidency to India occurred this Friday, Brasil remains at the helm of the group until December 31, 2025. A final workshop on security will be held next week, with the participation of Ambassador Celso Amorim, Advisor for International Affairs to the President of the Republic.