BRICS finance ministers discuss
possibility of efficient cross-border payment mechanisms
Finance ministers and central bank governors of BRICS
countries have discussed the possibility of efficient cross-border payment
mechanisms.
"We acknowledge the efforts of the BRICS
Payment Task Force (BPTF) towards exploring pragmatic solutions for efficient
cross-border payment mechanisms, drawing on the guidance provided by our
leaders in the Kazan and Rio Declarations, on the BRICS Cross-Border Payments
Initiative," a joint statement of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank
Governors (FMCBG) said on Friday.
The joint statement comes a day ahead of the two-day
BRICS Summit being held in Delhi.
The BPTF also studied cross-border interoperability
of payment and messaging channels, and held discussions on promoting trade
settlements and investments using local currencies of BRICS countries, it said.
While pursuing these efforts, the task force has
been asked to respect national priorities and recognise that there is no
"one-size-fits-all" approach.
"We encourage the BPTF to continue discussions,
building on the ongoing work, to facilitate practical solutions for
cross-border payments among BRICS countries, which are fast, low-cost, more
accessible, efficient, transparent, and safe," the statement said.
With the growing share of emerging markets and
developing economies (EMDEs) in global output and growth, reform of global 29
economic governance remains a consistent BRICS priority; it said they will
continue to strengthen coordination among BRICS members to make international
financial institutions more representative, transparent and accountable.
FMCBG reiterated the urgent need to reform the
Bretton Woods Institutions (BWI) to make them more agile, effective, credible,
inclusive, fit for purpose, unbiased, accountable, and representative, to
enhance their legitimacy.
BWI governance structure should be reformed to
reflect the transformation of the global economy since their establishment, it
said.
The voice and representation of EMDEs in the BWI
must reflect their relative position in the global economy, it said.
It also reiterated a call for improved management
procedures, including through a merit-based, inclusive and transparent
selection process that would increase regional diversity and representation of
EMDEs in the leadership of the IMF and the World Bank.
FMCBG reaffirmed the BRICS Rio de Janeiro Vision for
IMF Quota and Governance Reform and the need for a strong, quota-based and
adequately resourced IMF at the centre of the global financial safety net to
effectively support its members, particularly the most vulnerable countries.
It reaffirmed that the 2025 World Bank Shareholding
Review is a critical tool to strengthen multilateralism and enhance the
legitimacy of the World Bank Group, as a better, bigger, and more effective
development finance institution.
With regard to the New Development Bank (NDB), the
joint statement said, "As it embarks on its second golden decade of
high-quality development, we recognise and support the growing role of the NDB
as a robust and strategic agent of development and modernisation in BRICS and
the Global South".
The statement encouraged the bank to mobilise
resources, expand local currency financing, strengthen project-preparation
facilities, diversify funding sources, foster innovation, and support
high-impact projects that contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth in
member countries.
It reiterated its support for the NDB's efforts to
fulfil its mandate in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner and
further consolidate its role as a leading multilateral development institution
for emerging markets and developing economies.
FMCBG welcomed the progress made in advancing the
BRICS Multilateral Guarantees (BMG) initiative in line with the guidance
provided by BRICS Leaders in 2025.
It noted the preparatory work undertaken by the NDB
for the pilot phase of the initiative under its existing Policy on Guarantees
aimed at supporting sustainable development and resilient infrastructure
projects.
They expressed commitment to curbing tax-related
illicit financial flows and encouraging a fair allocation of taxing rights.
FMCBG reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening
BRICS Tax Cooperation through resilience, innovation, cooperation and
sustainability, while promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building,
constructive engagement in international forums like the United Nations
Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and its protocols in
order to support a fair, efficient and future-ready international tax
ecosystem.
www.thehindubusinessline.com,
dt. 12-09-2026