Day-Two of Deliberations at the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum in New Delhi

Publish Date: September 5, 2026

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

New Delhi, 5 September 2026

Day-Two of Deliberations at the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum in New Delhi

Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India addresses the Heads of Delegations and Delegates from BRICS Member States and Partner Countries

As a part of the ongoing BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum in New Delhi, Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India today addressed the Delegations from BRICS Member States and Partner Countries.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India emphasised on the importance of the culture of healthy disagreement and deliberation. He emphasised that timely and predictable delivery of justice is necessary. He reminded how Nalanda University used to be the most eminent educational centre where students and researchers from all over the world used to be admitted without any discrimination or barriers. He said that what made Nalanda University truly unique was that it never asked its scholars to first agree upon a Common System of Law or philosophy before it admitted them. It rather offered a healthy and hospitable space for disagreement and deliberation. BRICS should also be known as the living Nalanda University.

Today’s gathering was also addressed by:-

H.E. Mr. Luiz Edson Fachin, President, Supreme Federal Court of Brazil;
H.E. Mr. Zhang Jun, Chief Justice, People’s Republic of China and President, Supreme People’s Court;
H.E. Mr. Boulos Fahmy Iskander Boulos, Chief Justice, Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt;
H.E. Mr. Tewodros Meheret Kebede, President, Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia;
H.E. Sunarto, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Indonesia;
H.E. Ayatollah Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Eje’I, Chief Justice, Islamic Republic of Iran;
H.E. Mr. Igor Krasnov, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Russian Federation;
H.E. Ms. Mahube Betty Molemela, President, Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa;
H.E. Mr. Mohammed Hamad Al Badi Al Dhaheri, President, UAE Federal Supreme Court;
H.E. Mr. Andrei Shved, Chairman, Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus;
H.E. Dr. Romer Saucedo Gomez, President, Supreme Court of Bolivia;
H.E. Mr. Aslambek Mergaliyev, Chairman, Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
H.E. Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Bin Jais, President, Court of Appeal, Malaysia;
H.E. Ms. Muntharee Ujjin, President, Court of Appeal, Thailand;
H.E. Dr. Flavian Zeija, Chief Justice, Republic of Uganda;
H.E. Ms. Malikakhon Kalandarova, Deputy Chairperson, Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The President, Supreme Federal Court of Brazil (via video recording) called for multipolarity and greater international collaboration. He has also emphasised that international law is of critical importance in the current period of global instability and transition and stressed upon the need to uphold the rule of law in the international order.

The Chief Justice, People’s Republic of China highlighted judicial cooperation as a valuable contribution to member nations and called for solidarity and cooperation among BRICS member and partner states. He also emphasised the promotion of rule-based international trade and commerce in the current times of industrial transformation. He said that the judiciary plays a significant role in promoting social equity and justice. He also spoke about the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in judicial functioning and identified the judiciary’s expanding role in resolving cross-border commercial disputes. He called for the promotion of cooperation among legal systems and contribute to the formation of a world judicial civilisation.

The Chief Justice, Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt spoke about a free and fair legal system with a common global voice.

The President, Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia, focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms and discussed the interlinkage between the rule of law and economic development.

The Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Indonesia called for the exchange of best practices and a durable platform for judicial dialogue among member nations.

The Chief Justice, Islamic Republic of Iran highlighted that BRICS is shaping economic and political developments, and raised concerns over widespread violations of human rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, the humanitarian crisis and displacement of civilians.

The Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Russian Federation said that BRICS has a key role in ensuring co-operation and a multi-polar world.

The President, Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa asked for co-operation on international issues. He spoke about the role of judicial leadership in ecological governance.

The President, UAE Federal Supreme Court said that arbitration and mediation are integral to the modern economy. He pointed out that while digital technology and AI are advancing justice delivery systems, it should not eliminate the human element from the process. He also emphasised environmental law as essential to protecting the rights of future generations.

This was followed by four substantive sessions in which discussions were held on:-

Mediation and International Commercial Disputes – examining mediation as a strategic mechanism for resolving international commercial disputes in a globalised economy;
Cross-Border Enforcement of Arbitral Awards – discussing challenges in enforcement and the prospects for greater procedural harmonisation;
Artificial Intelligence and the Judiciary – exploring digital innovation, Artificial Intelligence and the future of judicial administration; and
Judicial Leadership and Sustainable Development – considering the role of the judiciary in ecological governance and the advancement of sustainable energy systems.

The Forum enabled closer judicial dialogue, promotion of exchange of experiences and deeper cooperation among BRICS Member States and Partner Countries on emerging legal and institutional issues.