BRICS adopts ADR strengthening declaration

Under India's 2026 Chairship, the BRICS Justice Ministers' Meeting and a preceding Senior Officials' Meeting were held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Senior officials from BRICS countries, including Brazil, China, India, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, reached a consensus on a Joint Declaration. This declaration aims to strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, specifically through enhanced capacity building in mediation and arbitration. The initiative underscores India's leadership in promoting ADR as a vital tool for legal reform, aiming to deliver accessible, speedy, and affordable justice. The meetings focused on sharing best practices, strengthening institutional capacity, and exploring collaborative ADR initiatives like training programs and digital dispute resolution platforms. The Joint Declaration was formally adopted by the Justice Ministers, reflecting a collective commitment to expand and professionalize mediation and arbitration.