Speaker Om Birla addressed the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on Monday, insisting that the world’s largest democratic houses must step up as mediators in a climate of war, trade friction and climate anxiety. He called on the 12 member states’ lawmakers to harness the energy of more than 60 million Indian youths and turn that potential into a tool for peace.
The forum, which gathered delegations from Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa, is a key venue for BRICS to set a unified stance on issues ranging from the Ukraine conflict to climate change. Birla’s remarks came amid escalating tensions, with Russia’s war in Ukraine continuing and the Middle East simmering. He noted that parliaments, as the direct voice of the people, could bridge national divides and transform crisis into collaboration.
He highlighted that the world has entered a period of “profound uncertainty,” pointing to rising inflation, supply‑chain bottlenecks and a surge in cyber‑attacks. While no BRICS official spoke after his address, observers noted that delegates from Russia, Iran and the UAE listened intently, reflecting the high stakes of a unified parliamentary approach.
Birla’s emphasis on youth came in the wake of growing calls for higher education reform and job creation in India’s 2024 elections. He said that if lawmakers ignore the aspirations of the next generation, the nation risks political volatility. The call for a joint BRICS statement on youth participation is expected to shape a new policy framework that will be tabled at the next meeting in 2027.
The next step will be a coordinated draft resolution, drafted by the Indian parliamentary group, to be circulated among BRICS members for approval. The resolution will outline shared commitments to youth employment, digital literacy and climate action, setting a precedent for parliamentary diplomacy in a multipolar world.