WHO Director-General Tedros Reaches New Delhi for BRICS Summit 2026

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, joining global leaders and senior officials for discussions on international cooperation.

WHO Chief Tedros Arrives in New Delhi for 18th BRICS Summit

WHO Director-General Tedros Reaches New Delhi

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit.

His presence at the high-level gathering highlights the growing importance of international cooperation on health and development issues. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Tedros and said his participation reflects the significance of global collaboration in achieving shared progress and prosperity.

India Hosts 18th BRICS Summit

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

The two-day summit brings together leaders and representatives from BRICS member countries, partner nations and invited outreach countries. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation within the grouping and addressing important international and regional issues.

India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026 is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

According to the MEA, the theme reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a people-focused approach based on the principle of “Humanity First.”

Belarus Foreign Minister Also Arrives

Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov also reached New Delhi to attend the summit.

The MEA highlighted the longstanding friendly relationship between India and Belarus, noting that bilateral cooperation has expanded across several areas. The two countries also work together through multilateral platforms on issues of shared interest.

Ryzhenkov’s participation adds another dimension to the summit’s engagement with BRICS partner countries.

Philippine President Attends as ASEAN Chair

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr arrived in New Delhi on Friday to participate in the BRICS Summit in his capacity as the current chair of ASEAN.

He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel.

The MEA said India and ASEAN share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with cooperation covering areas such as trade, maritime security and regional connectivity across the Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN is also considered an important component of India’s Act East policy, which seeks to strengthen the country’s economic and strategic engagement with Southeast Asia.

WTO Chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Joins Summit

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was among the senior international officials who arrived in New Delhi ahead of the summit.

The MEA said her participation would contribute to discussions surrounding inclusive trade and development. Her presence is also expected to support dialogue on strengthening the global trading system and ensuring that its benefits reach a wider range of countries and communities.

Trade and economic cooperation remain important areas within the broader BRICS agenda.

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Arrives in New Delhi

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla also reached the Indian capital to participate in the summit.

The MEA described India and Cuba as countries with longstanding friendly relations. Both nations, as partners within the Global South, continue to cooperate on shared priorities through bilateral and multilateral platforms.

Cuba’s participation further expands the representation of developing and emerging economies at the gathering.

India Conducts More Than 350 BRICS Engagements

Ahead of the summit, India has conducted an extensive programme of BRICS-related meetings throughout its 2026 chairship.

More than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been organised across more than 25 Indian cities. These activities have focused on strengthening the strategic partnership among BRICS countries through three broad pillars.

The first pillar covers political and security cooperation, the second focuses on economic and financial matters, while the third promotes cultural exchanges and people-to-people relations.

India has also encouraged business-to-business interactions and other public engagement initiatives during its chairship.

Focus on Practical and Development-Oriented Outcomes

India’s BRICS leadership has sought to move beyond dialogue by encouraging practical initiatives and development-focused outcomes.

The various meetings held throughout the year have provided opportunities for governments, businesses and civil society to exchange ideas and identify areas for closer cooperation.

The participation of senior officials from organisations such as the WHO and WTO, along with representatives from BRICS and partner nations, broadens the scope of discussions at the summit.

Health and Global Cooperation Take Centre Stage

Tedros’ participation places global health cooperation among the wider issues receiving attention during the summit.

The WHO has an important role in international health coordination, while BRICS countries have increasingly discussed issues connected to development, healthcare access and cooperation among emerging economies.

His presence also reinforces the broader objective of strengthening multilateral partnerships to address challenges that extend beyond national borders.

Conclusion

The arrival of WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with senior leaders and international officials, adds significance to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Under India’s chairship, the gathering aims to strengthen cooperation across political, economic, health and people-centric areas while promoting practical outcomes and deeper engagement among BRICS and partner countries.