Brics backs Gaza ceasefire, calls for two-state solution for Palestine

What Happened

Brics leaders on Saturday adopted a joint declaration calling for the extension of the "ceasefire" in Gaza and backing a two-state solution for Palestine. The declaration said root causes of conflicts must be tackled and reiterated the group's commitment to peaceful resolution through "dialogue, consultation and diplomacy". The bloc comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The leaders also raised concerns over increasing nuclear risks and emphasised that nuclear safeguards, safety and security must be upheld, including in armed conflicts.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The declaration signals broad alignment among major Global South economies—including Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE—on the Gaza ceasefire and Palestinian statehood. While non-binding, it adds diplomatic weight to the two-state solution framework and could influence regional mediation dynamics, particularly as Brics includes both parties to the Abraham Accords and Iran, a key backer of Hamas.

Watch For

Monitor whether Brics member states with direct regional roles, notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, translate the declaration into individual diplomatic initiatives or pressure in Gaza ceasefire talks. Watch for any follow-up discussions at the UN Security Council on Resolution 1701 implementation and whether the Lebanon ceasefire holds. Also track whether Qatar, a mediator not in Brics, coordinates with Brics members on the Gaza ceasefire extension.