BRICS Justice Ministers Adopt Declaration to Boost Mediation and Arbitration Cooperation

In a major step toward strengthening international legal cooperation and modern dispute resolution systems, the BRICS countries have adopted a joint declaration aimed at expanding mediation and arbitration frameworks through enhanced capacity building and institutional collaboration.

The “Declaration of the Ministers of Justice of the BRICS Countries on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through Capacity Building in Mediation and Arbitration” was formally adopted on 21 May 2026 during the meeting of BRICS Justice Ministers held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, under India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship.

The initiative was announced by the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, and reflects a shared commitment among BRICS nations to promote accessible, efficient and modern mechanisms for dispute resolution.

The declaration was finalised following extensive deliberations during the Senior Officials’ Meeting conducted on 19–20 May 2026 in Gandhinagar, where representatives from member countries agreed in principle on the framework and objectives of the initiative.

The meeting brought together Justice Ministers and official delegations from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

According to officials, the declaration highlights the growing importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems such as mediation and arbitration in addressing complex legal and commercial disputes in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

The agreement focuses on strengthening institutional cooperation and enhancing professional capacities among key stakeholders involved in dispute resolution processes across BRICS nations.

One of the central features of the declaration is the emphasis on capacity-building programmes aimed at training and upskilling government legal officers, mediators, arbitrators, judges and legal professionals.

The participating countries agreed to encourage specialised training initiatives, knowledge-sharing platforms and collaborative educational programmes to improve expertise and institutional effectiveness in ADR systems.

The declaration also promotes reforms aimed at strengthening institutional mediation and arbitration frameworks to improve accessibility, efficiency, transparency and enforceability of dispute resolution processes.

Officials noted that modernising ADR systems could significantly reduce pressure on traditional court systems while providing faster and more cost-effective legal remedies for businesses, investors and individuals.

Another major focus area of the agreement is cooperation in the use of digital technologies and innovation within mediation and arbitration systems.

BRICS countries agreed to encourage the exchange of best practices related to digital dispute resolution tools, online arbitration platforms, virtual hearings and technology-enabled legal services that can improve efficiency and accessibility in legal proceedings.

Legal experts believe the increasing use of digital tools in ADR mechanisms has the potential to transform global dispute resolution by making legal processes more flexible, transparent and internationally accessible.

The declaration further reflects the growing recognition among BRICS countries that efficient dispute resolution systems are essential for strengthening trade, investment flows and economic cooperation among emerging economies.

Officials stated that promoting mediation and arbitration as preferred methods for resolving disputes can help create more stable and business-friendly environments while reducing litigation delays and procedural complexities.

India’s leadership during the BRICS 2026 Chairship has placed significant emphasis on legal cooperation, judicial modernization and strengthening institutional frameworks that support global economic and governance reforms.

The Department of Legal Affairs welcomed the adoption of the declaration and reiterated India’s commitment to continued collaboration with BRICS partners in implementing the agreed reforms and initiatives.

Authorities indicated that future cooperation may include joint research projects, exchange programmes, institutional partnerships and collaborative policy initiatives focused on strengthening ADR ecosystems within BRICS countries.

Observers note that the initiative aligns with broader global trends toward encouraging mediation and arbitration as practical alternatives to lengthy court litigation, particularly in international trade, investment and commercial disputes.

The adoption of the declaration is also expected to strengthen cooperation among legal institutions and contribute toward building more harmonised and effective dispute resolution mechanisms across BRICS economies.

Legal and policy analysts believe that expanding ADR systems could play an important role in improving investor confidence, facilitating cross-border business activity and enhancing legal certainty within rapidly growing emerging markets.

The Gandhinagar meeting further underscored India’s growing role in shaping international discussions on legal reform, digital governance and institutional modernization within multilateral platforms such as BRICS.