BRICS Nations Reach Consensus on Strengthening Mediation and Arbitration Cooperation

Under India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship, the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice successfully concluded a two-day Senior Officials’ Meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, focused on deepening cooperation among BRICS nations in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

The meeting, held from 19 to 20 May 2026 in hybrid mode, brought together senior justice officials and legal representatives from Brazil, China, India, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

The discussions concluded with a shared consensus on a Joint Declaration titled:

“Declaration of the Ministers of Justice of the BRICS Countries on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through Capacity Building in Mediation and Arbitration.”

The declaration will now be presented for formal adoption during the BRICS Ministers of Justice Meeting scheduled to take place in Gandhinagar from 21 to 22 May 2026.

India Leads BRICS Effort to Strengthen ADR Ecosystem

The meeting reflected India’s broader vision under its BRICS Chairship to strengthen international legal cooperation and promote efficient, accessible and modern dispute resolution mechanisms.

Officials said the initiative aims to encourage wider adoption of mediation and arbitration as effective alternatives to lengthy and expensive litigation processes.

The discussions highlighted the increasing global importance of ADR systems in:

• Commercial disputes

• Public-sector conflicts

• Cross-border business matters

• Investment-related disagreements

• Institutional legal processes

Participants emphasized that stronger ADR frameworks can improve ease of doing business, reduce judicial burdens and enhance legal certainty in rapidly evolving economic environments.

Extensive Discussions on Mediation and Arbitration Reforms

The Senior Officials’ Meeting featured comprehensive deliberations on a wide range of ADR-related subjects and emerging legal trends.

Delegates exchanged experiences and best practices concerning:

• Institutional mediation systems

• Arbitration reforms

• Capacity building for ADR professionals

• Public-sector dispute resolution

• Commercial arbitration frameworks

• Cross-border legal cooperation

• Technology-enabled dispute resolution

Officials from participating countries also discussed challenges faced within their respective legal systems while exploring opportunities for greater coordination and knowledge sharing.

The dialogue reflected a growing international recognition that mediation and arbitration play a critical role in ensuring efficient and accessible justice systems.

Joint Declaration Reflects Shared BRICS Vision

Following extensive and constructive discussions, the participating countries finalized the text of the Joint Declaration, which captures the collective commitment of BRICS nations to:

• Expand ADR mechanisms

• Professionalize mediation and arbitration services

• Promote institutional dispute resolution

• Improve accessibility of legal remedies

• Strengthen legal cooperation

• Build resilient justice ecosystems

The declaration also highlights the importance of capacity building, training and institutional strengthening to improve the quality and effectiveness of ADR systems across member countries.

Officials stated that the outcome reflects a shared BRICS vision of building:

• Innovative legal ecosystems

• Cooperative justice frameworks

• Resilient dispute resolution systems

• Modern legal infrastructure

ADR Becoming Increasingly Important Globally

Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration are gaining increasing importance worldwide as countries seek faster, cost-effective and less adversarial methods of resolving disputes.

Experts note that ADR systems help:

• Reduce court backlogs

• Improve business confidence

• Strengthen investment environments

• Enhance commercial efficiency

• Promote amicable settlements

For developing and emerging economies, effective ADR systems are also viewed as essential for improving international trade and investment relationships.

The BRICS initiative reflects growing cooperation among Global South economies in shaping modern legal and governance frameworks.

India Strengthening Global Legal Diplomacy

India’s leadership of the ADR discussions under its BRICS Chairship aligns with the country’s broader efforts to strengthen international legal cooperation and position itself as a major global arbitration and mediation hub.

Over recent years, India has introduced several reforms aimed at improving:

• Arbitration frameworks

• Commercial dispute resolution

• Ease of doing business

• Legal infrastructure modernization

Officials believe stronger ADR ecosystems can contribute significantly to economic growth, investor confidence and efficient governance.

Gandhinagar Emerging as Venue for Global Legal Engagement

The hosting of the Senior Officials’ Meeting and upcoming BRICS Ministers of Justice Meeting in Gandhinagar highlights India’s growing role in facilitating international legal and policy dialogue.

The city has increasingly hosted major national and international conferences focused on governance, law, diplomacy and innovation.

The BRICS legal cooperation initiative is expected to further strengthen institutional collaboration among member nations while promoting more harmonized approaches to modern dispute resolution systems.

Shared Commitment to Cooperative Legal Systems

The successful conclusion of the Senior Officials’ Meeting demonstrates the willingness of BRICS countries to work collectively on strengthening legal institutions and justice delivery mechanisms.

The proposed declaration is expected to serve as an important framework for future collaboration in:

• Mediation training

• Arbitration capacity building

• Legal knowledge exchange

• Institutional cooperation

• Cross-border dispute resolution

Officials said the initiative reflects the broader BRICS commitment to fostering inclusive, efficient and future-ready governance systems capable of addressing evolving global legal and commercial challenges.