BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers adopt declaration on AI, climate change impacts, and future of work at meeting in Brazil.
Brasília, Brazil – April 26, 2025 – The 11th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting, held under the Brazilian Presidency on April 25th, 2025, culminated in the adoption of a significant declaration addressing the future of work in the age of Artificial Intelligence and the impacts of climate change.
The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment. Convened under the slogan “Strengthening the Cooperation of the Global South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the conference focused on two pivotal themes: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Work” and “The Impacts of Climate Change on the World of Work and a Just Transition.”
Sushri Karandlaje highlighted India’s human-centric approach to technological transformation, emphasizing its alignment with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Technology for Empowerment, Not Exclusion.” She detailed India’s National Strategy for AI, which prioritizes ethical adoption, workforce upskilling, and sectoral applications across areas like agriculture, healthcare, and education. Initiatives such as FutureSkills Prime and the Namo Drone Didi program were presented as examples of India’s commitment to creating tech-enabled livelihoods, particularly for rural women and youth. The National Career Service (NCS) platform, powered by AI, was also showcased as a model for bridging skill gaps and connecting millions to employment opportunities.
On climate action, India stressed its framework for a just transition, ensuring that green growth translates into equitable job creation. The Sector Skill Council for Green Jobs (SSCGJ) and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) were highlighted as transformative initiatives promoting skilling and sustainable practices. India’s achievement in reducing GHG emissions between 2020 and 2019, and its pledge to achieve net-zero by 2070, were underscored as reinforcing its climate leadership. Collaborative efforts with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to protect workers’ rights during this transition were also emphasized.
The BRICS Declaration adopted at the meeting commits member nations to:
- Promote inclusive AI policies that balance innovation with worker protection.
- Advance social dialogue to ensure fair climate transitions.
- Strengthen South-South cooperation on labour governance, digital inclusion, and green job creation.
India’s contributions were lauded for aligning cutting-edge technological advancement with inclusive social welfare, reflecting the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” The meeting reaffirmed the BRICS nations’ collective resolve to build a future where no worker is left behind in the face of AI-driven disruption or climate challenges.
