KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 16th meeting of BRICS leaders was held at the Kazan Convention and Exhibition Center on the morning of Oct. 23, local time. Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Lula (online), Egyptian President Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy, Indian Prime Minister Modi, Iranian President Pezeshizian, South African President Ramaphosa, and UAE President Mohammed attended.

  Xi Jinping first attended the small meeting.

  Xi welcomed new members to the BRICS family as well as inviting several countries to become BRICS partner countries. Xi pointed out that the expansion is an important milestone in the history of BRICS development and a landmark event in the evolution of the international landscape. The BRICS countries have come together on the basis of common pursuits and in line with the general trend of world peace and development. At present, the world's century-long changes are accelerating, including the new situation of multi-polarization and the dangerous situation of the “new cold war”. The BRICS countries should grasp the historical opportunities, take the historical initiative, adhere to the original mission of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, comply with the trend of the rise of the global South, insist on seeking common ground while reserving differences, work with one heart and one mind, further cohesion of the common values of the BRICS countries, safeguard the common interests of the BRICS countries, promote the unity and self-improvement of BRICS countries, and turn the BRICS into a major channel for the promotion of solidarity and cooperation in the global South, and a pioneering force in the promotion of the change of global governance. Xi Jinping emphasized that the more the world moves, the more the world will be able to move forward.

  Xi emphasized that the more turbulent the world is, the more we should hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win situation, quench the color of BRICS and show its power. We should make the voice of peace and advocate a new type of security based on dialogue but not confrontation and partnership but not alliance. We should seek a common path to development, advocate inclusive economic globalization, and adhere to the path of common development. We should strengthen the foundation of cooperation, deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as agriculture, energy, minerals and trade, expand cooperation in emerging areas such as green low-carbon and artificial intelligence, and safeguard trade, investment and financial security.

  Later, Xi attended a wide-ranging meeting and made important comments on the future development of the BRICS, putting forward a five-point proposal.

  Xi emphasized that at present, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, and is facing a critical choice of whether to allow the world to be in turmoil or push it back to the right path of peaceful development. The greater the storm of the times, the more we have to stand on the tide, with the determination of perseverance, the courage to be the first, and the ability to recognize changes and adapt to them, to jointly write a new chapter in the high-quality development of the BRICS Cooperation.

  --We will build a BRICS for Peace and be the guardians of common security. Only by practicing the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security can we walk out of the road of universal security. We should adhere to the three principles of “no spillover from the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fire from all sides”, and push for a de-escalation of the crisis situation in Ukraine as soon as possible. We should push for a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible and work tirelessly for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine.

  --We will build an “Innovation BRICS” and be the forerunner of high-quality development. We should keep pace with the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and cultivate new quality productive forces. China has recently established the China-BRICS Center for Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation, and will set up the BRICS International Research Center for Deep Ocean Resources, the BRICS Center for Cooperation in Special Economic Zones in China, the BRICS Center for Industrial Capability in China, and the BRICS Ecological Cooperation Network for the Digital Industry, in which all parties are welcome to actively participate.

  --We will build a “Green BRICS” and be a practitioner of sustainable development. China's high-quality production capacity in electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products has provided an important boost to the world's green development. China is willing to work with BRICS countries to expand cooperation in green industries, clean energy and green minerals, promote the “greening” of the entire industrial chain, enrich the “green content” of cooperation and enhance the “gold content” of development. We will also promote the “greening” of the whole industrial chain, enrich the “green content” of cooperation and enhance the “gold content” of development.

  --We will build a “just BRICS” and be a leader in the reform of the global governance system. The international balance of power is evolving profoundly, but the reform of the global governance system has been lagging behind for a long time. We need to practise genuine multilateralism, adhere to the concept of global governance based on joint consultation and sharing, lead the reform of global governance based on the concepts of fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness, and enhance the representation and voice of the countries of the global South. We will promote the connectivity of financial infrastructure, maintain a high level of financial security, expand and strengthen the New Development Bank, and promote the international financial system to better reflect the changes in the world economy.

  --We will build a “BRICS of Humanity” and become advocates of civilizational harmony and coexistence. We will strengthen the exchange of experiences in governance and advocate the inclusive coexistence of different civilizations. The BRICS Digital Education Cooperation Initiative proposed by China has already been put into practice, and a BRICS Digital Education Capacity Building Program will be implemented, with 10 overseas learning centers to be set up in BRICS countries in the next five years to provide training opportunities for 1,000 education administrators, teachers and students.

Xi concluded by emphasizing that China is willing to work with BRICS countries to create a new situation for the high-quality development of BRICS cooperation and jointly promote the building of a community of human destiny!

  Focusing on the theme of “Strengthening multilateralism and promoting equitable global development and security”, the leaders exchanged views on BRICS cooperation and major international issues of common concern.

  The leaders positively assessed the development of the BRICS mechanism and the important role it has played in addressing global challenges, believing that the BRICS countries, with their large populations, abundant resources and great potential for development, have become a model of multilateralism with their growing appeal and international influence. The BRICS countries should uphold the BRICS spirit, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, deepen the “Greater BRICS” strategic partnership, strengthen the “three-wheel-drive” cooperation in political security, economy, trade, finance and humanistic exchanges, and promote equal and orderly multi-polarization, inclusive and inclusive economic globalization, and sustainable development in the world, so as to further enhance the effectiveness of the BRICS countries in addressing global challenges. We will also promote multi-polarity in an equal and orderly world, inclusive and inclusive economic globalization and sustainable development in the world, further enhance the voice and representation of the global South in international affairs, and promote the building of a more just and rational international order. Firmly defend multilateralism, safeguard the central role of the United Nations in the international system, and support the United Nations in playing an important role in global governance, including artificial intelligence. We are committed to resolving disputes by peaceful means through dialog and consultation, support all efforts that contribute to the peaceful resolution of crises, and respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries. Promote the reform of the existing international economic and financial architecture and turn the New Development Bank into a new type of multilateral development bank for the 21st century. We appreciate the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the resolution on the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations proposed by China, and call for respect for the diversity of civilizations in the world and the strengthening of exchanges and mutual understanding among different civilizations.

  The meeting issued the Kazan Declaration of the 16th BRICS Leaders' Meeting, announcing the establishment of BRICS partner countries.

  During the meeting, the BRICS leaders also listened to the New Development Bank President Rousseff and other BRICS mechanism responsible for the work of the report, and a group photo.

  Cai Qi and Wang Yi participated in the above activities.