BRICS approves declaration and advances sustainable industrial agenda with focus on technology and small businesses

The contributions reveal a consensus on the urgency of promoting a new industrial revolution guided by innovation, equity, and sustainability, in which digital technology and international cooperation play central roles

By Leandro Molina / BRICS Brasil

On Wednesday, May 21, the 9th BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting was held in Brasilia, marking a new chapter in the group's cooperation. The ministers approved an ambitious Joint Declaration that reinforces their commitment to more inclusive and sustainable global governance. Under Brasil's presidency, the declaration's approval reaffirms BRICS's strategic role as a driving force for a more balanced international order.

The ministers emphasized the importance of innovation and industrial digitalization in promoting sustainable development, creating jobs, ensuring food and energy security, and addressing climate change. They identified Industry 4.0 as an essential tool for productive transformation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are core components of BRICS economies.

One of the main outcomes of the meeting was the official recognition of the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competences (BCIC), which was launched in April 2025 in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The BCIC aims to enhance Industry 4.0 skills and foster productivity and partnerships among member countries. Ministers encouraged adherence to the initiative and highlighted the recent establishment of the China Center for Industrial Competences (CCBIC). Another highlight was the BRICS PartNIR Innovation Center (BPIC), which has organized forums, innovation contests, and training programs over the past five years. The BPIC has now expanded to include scholarships for technical training and professional exchanges within the group.

Technology cooperation gained new momentum with the launch of the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub, introduced in January as part of the group’s Startup Forum, and with the High-Level Forum on Artificial Intelligence, held in Brasilia and co-organized by China. In industrial governance, the terms of reference for Working Groups on Smart Manufacturing and Robotics, Digital Transformation of Industry, and SMEs were approved, along with the creation of the PartNIR Sovereign AI initiative for Digital Industrialization. The initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation on sovereign artificial intelligence and digitalization.

On the environmental agenda, the Joint Declaration stressed the commitment to green industrial development, energy efficiency and circular economy, from eco-design to responsible consumption. BRICS reaffirmed its role in promoting resilient and inclusive supply chains, aligning economic growth with sustainability.

"Through our collaborative efforts within the partnership, we have demonstrated the capacity of BRICS to develop a robust, modern, and future-oriented industrial agenda. We have not only the potential but also the responsibility to transform these priorities into concrete actions for the benefit of our economies and the international community"

Vice President of Brasil and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services Geraldo Alckmin highlighted the symbolism of the BRICS expansion, which now includes nations from the Global South. "This expansion not only demonstrates our geographical, demographic, and economic scope, but also our commitment to offering concrete solutions for a new era of sustainable development, technological innovation, and shared prosperity." Together, we represent nearly half of the world's population, 39 percent of the global GDP in purchasing power parity, and 24 percent of international trade."

Alckmin emphasized that, under President Lula's leadership, Brasil is committed to promoting practical and coordinated solutions among countries, particularly regarding industrial, technological, and productive agendas. "Through our collaborative efforts within the partnership, we have demonstrated the capacity of BRICS to develop a robust, modern, and future-oriented industrial agenda. We have not only the potential but also the responsibility to transform these priorities into concrete actions for the benefit of our economies and the international community," he said. The minister also advocated "sovereign artificial intelligence" adapted to the group's linguistic and cultural realities and emphasized the potential of the bioeconomy and green chemistry for sustainable reindustrialization.

2025–2030 Action Plan

Small and medium-sized enterprises received special attention with the signing of the 2025–2030 Action Plan for SMEs, the first of its kind in the BRICS, as well as the release of the report, "Digital Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," which will guide training policies. Márcio França, the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Micro, and Small Businesses, noted that SMEs comprise 90% of companies and over 50% of jobs within the group, acting as "the backbone of productive dynamism."

França welcomed the initiative that marks the first time BRICS has a working group dedicated exclusively to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. "The initiative, officially launched by the Russian presidency last year, is now taking concrete and institutional shape under Brasil's leadership. Its central role is economic growth, income generation, and promoting innovation in a wide range of sectors. The creation of this working group within the framework of the new industrial revolution partnership is a strategic milestone that will allow us to expand the exchange of experiences around the global economy," he said.

With the Brasilia Declaration, BRICS consolidates an industrial agenda based on innovation, sustainability, and inclusion, translated into concrete initiatives such as competence centers, startup hubs, and sectoral action plans. The meeting reaffirmed the group's commitment to a development model that prioritizes social justice, responsible use of natural resources, and solidarity among developing nations, positioning Brasil as a central coordinator of this shared vision for the future.

Countries emphasized the importance of technology, SMEs, and sustainability in the new industrial era

The combination of digitalization and artificial intelligence was identified as a driver of economic transformation, particularly in countries that prioritize climate change mitigation through technology. Cooperation among Global South countries was also recognized as a means of strengthening emerging economies and promoting inclusive industrialization.

There was an emphasis on transforming the manufacturing sector, especially in regions where manufacturing is linked to agriculture. This transformation would contribute to job and income generation, as well as local economic stability. The interaction between these sectors is crucial for promoting development.

During discussions on the future of industry and digital transformation, representatives from various countries emphasized the growing importance of technological innovation, sustainability, and the strengthening of SMEs as drivers of global economic development.

A central topic was the significant progress in installing industrial robots, with some countries accounting for half of the robots deployed worldwide in the last two years. This trend indicates an acceleration in the automation and digitization of industry, accompanied by substantial annual growth rates among micro and small businesses, fueled by incentive policies and productive modernization.

SMEs were also cited as essential components of the economy, accounting for a significant share of GDP and job creation in several countries. To expand this sector in a sustainable manner, efforts are being made to develop low-carbon technologies and consolidate promising markets, such as artificial intelligence, which is considered the fastest growing market in the global scenario.

English version: Luana Ferreira de Freitas/UFC/POET
Proofreading by Kelvis Santiago Nascimento/ UFC/POET