BRICS leaders emphasise states’ role in ensuring stability and security in use of ICTs

Leaders of BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – have emphasised the need to enhance international cooperation against terrorist and criminal misuse of ICTs. The Goa Declaration, adopted during the 8th BRICS Summit on 15-16 October, also recognises the ‘leading role of states’ in ensuring the stability and security in the use of ICTs, and reaffirms that the Internet is a global resource. States ‘should participate on an equal footing in its evolution and functioning, taking into account the need to involve relevant stakeholders in their respective roles and responsibilities,’ the leaders emphasised.