WANA (May 14) – Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasized the need for the world to move beyond outdated structures and toward a new order based on justice, balance, and cooperation during the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting titled “Fostering Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” held on May 14, 2026, in New Delhi.

 

In his remarks, Araghchi described innovation not merely as a slogan, but as a strategic necessity, stressing that today’s world must transition from “managing crises” to “managing opportunities.”

 

Full Text of Seyed Abbas Araghchi’s Speech at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

 

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 

Mr. Chair, Distinguished Colleagues,

Today, we stand at a pivotal moment in history, where the world faces two paths: the continuation of worn-out and ineffective structures, or the transition toward a new reality defined by justice and balance. Innovation today is no longer just a slogan; it is a strategic necessity. We are searching for a path that leads us from temporary crises toward enduring structures.

 

The world today needs to move from “managing crises” to “managing opportunities.” To preserve our place in today’s fast-changing world, we must not merely react to developments; we must actively create the conditions for positive transformation. This path rests on four key pillars: innovation, resilience, cooperation, and sustainability.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In today’s world, innovation is not limited to technological advancement; it must also shape governance and development models. Within BRICS, we must work to bridge digital and technological divides. Our direction should ensure that access to knowledge and technology is transformed from an exclusive privilege into a public tool for collective growth. We need innovation in financial structures and knowledge-sharing systems in order to move beyond the dominance of traditional powers.

 

Innovation within BRICS should not remain confined to laboratories; it must also be reflected in policymaking. We must create an environment in which the exchange of technology, knowledge, and human capital among member states can take place without barriers. Our goal should be to build a shared innovation ecosystem — one where startups and research centers from member countries cooperate in a synergistic network, rather than engage in destructive competition, to address global challenges such as food and energy security.

 

Distinguished Colleagues,

Today’s world is facing repeated economic, environmental, and security shocks. Existing systems have proven highly fragile in the face of these disruptions.

 

Wars are among these shocks. The aggressive wars waged by the United States and the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, and other parts of the world have inflicted irreparable damage on vital infrastructure.

 

Therefore, our path toward sustainability must focus on strengthening national and regional resilience. BRICS member states must secure their supply chains, diversify their monetary systems, and build strong economic defense structures against unilateral pressures so that, in times of crisis, they emerge rebuilt rather than weakened.

 

In today’s high-risk world, resilience is not a choice — it is an absolute necessity. We must develop infrastructures that are not vulnerable to economic shocks and supply-chain disruptions. This means developing independent financial systems, creating shared strategic reserves, and strengthening cyber and digital security.

 

Distinguished Delegations,

At a time when unilateralism and fragmentation are on the rise, cooperation remains the only path to salvation. Yet we are not seeking temporary cooperation; we seek structural and synergistic partnerships. The future path of BRICS must be grounded in respect for national sovereignty and cultural diversity. We must move beyond traditional forms of cooperation toward strategic synergy, where the strengths of one country complement the needs of another.

 

True cooperation goes beyond signing simple agreements. We must create a framework in which our cooperation evolves from mere trade in goods to the integration of value chains and joint investment in vital infrastructure. We should strive to build a bridge that sustainably connects the immense capacities of BRICS countries with their development needs, based on mutual respect.

 

All our efforts in innovation, resilience, and cooperation will be meaningless if they are built upon the ashes of environmental destruction and severe social inequality. Sustainability is not only an environmental objective; it is also an economic and political necessity. Our direction must ensure that today’s economic growth does not come at the expense of future generations’ resources. We must pursue a model of development in which social justice and the health of our planet advance alongside material progress.

 

No progress is real progress if it comes at the cost of environmental destruction or social injustice. We must create conditions in which “economic growth” is tied to “environmental protection.” This means investing in clean energy, smart water-resource management, and supporting development that guarantees social justice.

 

Sustainability must be incorporated as a core criterion in all BRICS development projects.

 

The path ahead is difficult, and the challenges are immense; yet our strength lies in cooperation. Let us not regard this meeting as the end of our discussions, but rather as the beginning of a strategic effort to build a world in which innovation, resilience, cooperation, and sustainability are not distant ideals, but tangible realities in the daily lives of our peoples.

 

Thank you for your attention.