Brazil formally transferred the BRICS presidency to India at the conclusion of the bloc's fourth sherpas meeting on December 12, capping a year characterised by the group's expansion, mounting challenges to multilateralism and an intensified focus on advancing Global South interests.

Brazil's presidency, which ran under the motto "Strengthening Global South Co-operation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance," saw leaders sign a joint declaration at the Rio summit in July comprising 126 commitments across political, economic and cultural co-operation. The year involved over 200 meetings and the creation or reinforcement of 200 new co-operation mechanisms in areas including hunger eradication, climate change and emerging technologies.

Brazil's sherpa, Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, handed over the symbolic gavel to India's sherpa, Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela, at the two-day gathering in Brasília where representatives from the 11 member countries reviewed the bloc's progress, according to BRICS' press services.

"The discussions over the last two days reaffirm our commitment to strengthen co-operation within the group and with partner countries," Lyrio said, adding that he "looks forward to India's leadership next year and the continuation of the progress achieved thus far".

Mauro Vieira, Brazil's foreign minister, pointed out that the country's presidency demonstrated the group's growing maturity and its capacity to act beyond traditional spheres of political and financial co-ordination.

"The great international issues will remain at the centre, but our societies expect tangible benefits. BRICS must be seen not only as a dialogue forum, but as a platform that generates real improvements for our peoples," Vieira said.

During the meeting, the sherpas reviewed Brazil's six priority areas: global health co-operation; climate change; trade, investment and finance; multilateral architecture for peace and security; governance of artificial intelligence; and institutional development.

Leaders approved several key documents during Brazil's tenure, including a declaration on global governance of artificial intelligence proposing more equitable access to emerging technologies and a framework declaration on climate financing defending reform of multilateral banks to provide fairer support to countries vulnerable to climate crisis.

Brazil also highlighted the BRICS partnership to eliminate socially determined diseases aimed at strengthening health systems in the Global South.

"Brazil led the BRICS with clarity of purpose and an admirable commitment to building consensus," said India's sherpa, who added India was committed to carrying forward the collective agenda endorsed under Brazil.

"Our presidency will remain guided by the fundamental principles of continuity, consolidation and consensus, while remaining responsive to emerging global developments and the evolving priorities of the Global South," said Dalela.

India's BRICS presidency priorities for 2026 will be structured around four pillars: resilience, innovation, co-operation and sustainability. The country said it aims to continue political discussions on more inclusive global governance and reform of the UN Security Council.

The gavel Brazil produced for India was handcrafted from repurposed Amazon rainforest wood sourced from native trees including Itaúba, Pau Rainha and Jaqueira, and made by the community of Novo Airão in Amazonas state through the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation, which uses abandoned wood from rural areas that would otherwise be burned.

"The gavel represents both sustainability and the deep roots of co-operation that unite the group's countries," Lyrio said.

Brazil remains at the helm of BRICS until December 31, with a final workshop on security scheduled for next week featuring Ambassador Celso Amorim, adviser for international affairs to Brazil's president.