BRICS leaders on Saturday supported deeper cooperation on tax and customs, welcoming initiatives taken under India’s chairmanship, including the creation of working groups on international taxation and transfer pricing, and income statistics.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a “fair, inclusive, stable and efficient international tax system” and strengthening cooperation among BRICS members in addressing evolving international tax issues, according to the New Delhi Declaration.
The declaration welcomed the creation of two tax working groups as part of efforts to deepen institutional cooperation between BRICS tax authorities. He also welcomed the individual development program for young tax professionals and the promotion of the BRICS Women in Tax network.
BRICS leaders also supported initiatives aimed at promoting innovation and knowledge sharing, including the creation of the BRICS Tax Support Network, the launch of the BRICS Tax Cross-Learning Lab and the further development of the BRICS Tax Cooperation Instrument.
On customs, the leaders acknowledged the deepening cooperation among the BRICS countries since its establishment in 2012 and encouraged the BRICS Customs Centers of Excellence to implement targeted training and technical cooperation programs based on members’ needs.
The declaration welcomed the rapprochement of positions achieved under the BRICS Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters. Members who are willing to proceed with signing the agreement will do so subject to the completion of the necessary national processes, while efforts will continue to ensure the participation of all BRICS countries.
The leaders also supported expanding cooperation under authorized economic operator (AEO) programs through the voluntary implementation of the BRICS AEO Action Plan until 2026. The initiative will focus on information exchange, capacity building, exchange of best practices and mutual recognition, taking into account national frameworks and priorities.
The BRICS countries will also work to make the BRICS Joint Customs Operation an annual initiative, where appropriate, in consultation with members and in coordination with the respective BRICS Chairmanship.
The operation will be based on mutually identified cross-border smuggling trends, shared priorities and operational feasibility. The declaration states that the experience of the first joint customs operation will be used to improve operational coordination and address emerging customs threats.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening BRICS tax cooperation through resilience, innovation, cooperation and resilience, including knowledge sharing, capacity building and constructive participation in international forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and its protocols.