Harivansh Addresses Plenary Session of 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum

The Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh today delivered an address at the Plenary session of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in New Delhi, on the theme ‘Sustainability: The Centrality of Parliament in Fostering a Sustainable and Inclusive Future for Our Nations’.

Highlighting the context of the conference, Shri Harivansh noted that India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” He emphasized that the New Delhi Declaration, adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit in September 2026, reaffirmed a shared commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Reflecting on global developmental challenges, Shri Harivansh pointed out that humanity faces formidable hurdles, including climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, food and energy insecurity, and growing inequalities.

Quoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026, he noted that only 15 per cent of the 139 targets with sufficient trend data are currently on track for achievement by 2030. He stressed that sustainability is not merely an environmental concern, but is fundamentally about human dignity, economic opportunity, social justice, and a better future for all.

Underlining the pivotal role of legislatures, the Deputy Chairman stated that Parliaments have a unique and indispensable role in addressing these challenges. Through legislation, budgetary oversight, accountability mechanisms, and citizen representation, Parliaments provide democratic legitimacy to public policy and bridge the gap between global commitments and local action.

He added that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires Parliaments to enact enabling legislation, allocate adequate resources, monitor implementation, and ensure that the voices of all sections of society are heard.(updated on 27th October 2026)