They vowed to promote cooperation in science and education, with the aim of engaging in fundamental research and the development of advanced technologies, the statement said.

The BRIC countries agreed upon steps to promote dialogue and cooperation among themselves in an "incremental, proactive, pragmatic, open and transparent way," it said.

"The dialogue and cooperation of the BRIC countries is conducive not only to serving common interests of emerging market economies and developing countries, but also to building a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity," it said.

Support for multi-polar world order

In the statement, the leaders expressed support for a more democratic and just multi-polar world order based on the rule of international law, equality, mutual respect, cooperation, coordination and collective decision-making of all states, and support for political and diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve disputes in international relations.

They condemned terrorism of all forms and expressed their strong commitment to multilateral diplomacy with the United Nations playing the central role in dealing with global challenges and threats.

The leaders called for efforts to improve the international trade and investment environment, and urged the international community to curb trade protectionism,and push for comprehensive and balanced results of the WTO's Doha Development Agenda.

Foof security

In a separate joint statement on global food security, the four countries pledged to adopt a package of mid- and long-term measures to tackle the issue of food security.

"The BRIC countries support the adoption of a wide range of mid- to long-term measures in order to provide for a solution to the issue of food security," the statement said.

The four countries pledged to provide additional resources and assistance to the agricultural sector, especially to household agriculture, which is the main source for food production, and will introduce advanced technologies in the agriculture sector to increase productivity.

Intellectural property rights in the agricultural domain should strike a balance between the common good of humankind and incentives to innovation, said the statement.

The statement said the four countries will also upgrade agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation, transportation, supply and storage and distribution systems access to credit and crop insurance policies, in which public-private partnerships could play a significant role.

The measures also include improved exchange of know-how and commercialization of sustainable biofuels among the four nations.

"The fluctuations of global food prices coupled with the global financial crisis is threatening global food security," the statement said. As a result, the number of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition grows and the progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals may be reversed, it said.

"This challenge should be addressed without delay in a comprehensive manner through resolute action by all governments and the relevant international agencies," the statement added.

The emerging economies of the BRIC, a term coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2003, account for 42 percent of the world's population, 14.6 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 12.8 percent of the global trade volume in 2008.