Top courts in BRICS countries signed a statement Saturday to promote judicial cooperation, raising cooperation among the five member countries to a new level, the chief judge of China said.

"The statement will play a positive role to promote cooperation among the members of BRICS and even the larger global community," said Zhou Qiang, president and chief justice of the Supreme People's Court at the BRICS Justice Forum on judicial system development and environmental protection, held on Saturday in Sanya, Hainan province.

The Sanya Statement said BRICS, representing Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has realized the serious challenges from environmental resource issues and will emphasize the use of judicial means to protect them. The members call for pragmatic judicial cooperation among countries to improve the rule of law and pursue balancing development among the economy, society and environment.

Members also are committed to improving their judicial systems through judicial reforms and international exchanges. The exchanges will include programs for judges, such as organizing mutual visits, hosting training for visiting judges and jointly holding workshops to help improve their professional skills.

Sound cooperation in the judicial systems and the Sanya Statement will also inject new energy to fuel the relationship of the member countries, Zhou said.

The BRICS countries have served as a major platform for emerging markets and developing countries.