Major International Summits and Declarations

Major multilateral summits and declarations are important for Prelims because they set the agenda on global governance, security, trade, and climate action. The most repeated forum-based questions usually relate to membership changes, host cities, rotating presidencies, and final declarations.

For revision, focus on the institutional structure of BRICS, SCO, G20, NATO, CHOGM, and UN climate conferences, along with the latest summit outcomes and official themes.

BRICS Presidency and Institutional Expansion

BRICS has expanded from a five-member bloc into a wider platform for emerging economies. Its recent enlargement is important because it changes the balance of representation in global economic discussions.

• India holds the rotating BRICS presidency for 2026 and will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.
• Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates became full members in January 2024.
• Indonesia became a full BRICS member in January 2025.
• Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam joined BRICS as partner countries in 2025.
• The expansion of BRICS is significant for questions on membership categories, especially full members and partner countries.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Bishkek Declaration

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a regional forum centred on security, counter-terrorism, and trade cooperation. Recent developments have also widened its institutional and linguistic framework.

• The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026, marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary.
• The summit concluded with the Bishkek Declaration.
• The declaration established English as an official language of the organisation alongside Chinese and Russian.
• Member nations approved the creation of a Universal Centre for Countering Security Threats.
• Pakistan holds the rotating SCO presidency for the 2026–2027 term.
• Lahore has been designated as the SCO tourism and cultural capital.

Key Economic and Political Forums: G20, G7, and APEC

These forums coordinate global economic policy, supply-chain resilience, and development priorities across advanced and emerging economies.

• The United States holds the G20 presidency for 2026.
• The G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled in Miami, Florida, on December 14–15, 2026.
• The 52nd G7 Summit took place in Évian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17, 2026.
• China is hosting APEC meetings in 2026 under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.”
• The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will conclude the cycle in Shenzhen in November 2026.

Security and Commonwealth Alignments: NATO and CHOGM

Security alliances and Commonwealth meetings are relevant for questions on defence cooperation, geopolitical leadership, and institutional continuity.

• The 36th NATO Summit was held in Ankara, Türkiye, on July 7–8, 2026.
• The summit was held under NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
• The 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2026) is scheduled for November 1–4, 2026, in Antigua and Barbuda.
• CHOGM 2026 will run under the theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
• Shirley Botchwey serves as the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

UN Climate Change Conferences (COP30 and COP31)

The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) under the UNFCCC is the core global forum for climate negotiations. It is where countries discuss emissions reduction, climate finance, and implementation of national commitments.

• The 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) was hosted by Brazil in Belém from November 10 to 21, 2025.
• The 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) is scheduled in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.
• Türkiye is the physical host country for COP31.
• Murat Kurum is associated with Türkiye’s host role for COP31.
• Chris Bowen, Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister, serves as the President of Negotiations for COP31.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• BRICS expansion: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia are full members; 10 countries are partner countries.
• 18th BRICS Summit: India will host it in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.
• SCO 2026: The Bishkek Declaration made English an official SCO language alongside Chinese and Russian.
• SCO security structure: A Universal Centre for Countering Security Threats was approved.
• G20 2026: The United States holds the presidency, and the summit will be in Miami on December 14–15, 2026.
• CHOGM 2026: It will be held in Antigua and Barbuda with the theme on partnerships and investment.
• COP31: Türkiye is the host country, while Australia’s Chris Bowen leads negotiations.