14 April 2011: The Third BRICS (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) Leaders’ meeting was held in Sanya, China, on 14 April 2011, under the theme “Broad Vision, Shared Prosperity.” Participants discussed growth and development, and energy and climate change, among other issues.

The meeting was attended by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Russian Federation President Dmitry Medvedev, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese President Hu Jintao and South African President Jacob Zuma. Leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on the current international situation, international economic and financial issues, development issues and cooperation between and among the BRICS countries. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the “Sanya Declaration,” in which BRICS leaders commit to deepen their exchange and cooperation in various fields including finance, think tanks, business, science and technology.

On growth and development, leaders commit to assure that the BRICS countries continue to enjoy strong and sustained economic growth supported by increased cooperation in economic, finance and trade matters, which contribute to the long-term steady, sound and balanced growth of the world economy. They support the ongoing efforts of G20 members to stabilize international financial markets, achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth and support the growth and development of the global economy. They emphasize that growth and development are central to addressing poverty and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and call on the international community to actively implement the outcome document adopted by the High-level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on the MDGs, which was held in September 2010, and to achieve the objectives of the MDGs by 2015 as scheduled.

They also commit to work with Brazil as host of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) to reach new political commitment and achieve positive and practical results in areas of economic growth, social development and environmental protection under the framework of sustainable development. In addition, in the Action Plan attached to the Declaration, leaders commit to explore the feasibility of cooperating in the field of green economy.

On energy, in the Declaration, BRICS leaders express support for the development and use of renewable energy resources as a means to address climate change, emphasizing cooperation and information exchange. Noting that nuclear energy will continue to be an important element in the future energy mix of BRICS countries, leaders affirm that international cooperation in the development of safe nuclear energy for peaceful purposes should proceed under conditions of strict observance of relevant safety standards and requirements concerning design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

On climate change, leaders express support for the Cancun Agreements and readiness to “make concerted efforts with the rest of the international community to bring a successful conclusion” to the Durban Climate Change Conference at the end of 2011, “applying the mandate of the Bali Roadmap and in line with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.” They further commit to work towards a “comprehensive, balanced and binding outcome” to strengthen the implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol. Finally, leaders thanked India for offering to host the next BRICS leaders meeting in 2012. [Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release][Meeting Website][Sanya Declaration]