The 17th BRICS Summit has commenced in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with leaders from the bloc’s member countries gathering to discuss pressing global issues. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are absent from the summit. Xi Jinping has sent Premier Li Qiang to represent China, while Putin will participate via video link due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant related to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized the need for the group to promote peace and mediate conflicts. “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to the BRICS to contribute to its renovation,” Lula said.
The summit’s agenda includes discussions on global health cooperation, trade, investment and finance, climate change, artificial intelligence governance, and institutional development within BRICS.
Despite the absence of Xi and Putin, the summit aims to strengthen cooperation among member countries. However, divisions are evident, particularly regarding Israel’s war in Gaza and its recent strikes on Iran. Some member states are calling for a firmer stance on these issues.
According to Lucia Newman, “The BRICS goal is to exert pressure for a multipolar world with inclusive global governance to give a meaningful voice to the Global South, especially in the trading system.” Newman added, “It’s not super organised, nor does it have a radical global impact.”
The BRICS countries represent almost half of the world’s population, 36% of global land area, and a quarter of the global economic output. The bloc sees itself as a forum for cooperation between countries of the Global South and a counterweight to the Group of Seven (G7), comprised of leading Western economic powers.
The summit comes at a time when the bloc is concerned about US President Donald Trump’s “indiscriminate” trade tariffs. Leaders at the summit are expected to decry these tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy.
Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they take any moves to undermine the dollar. Bruce Scheidl, a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo’s BRICS study group, said the summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond to Trump’s tariff policies.
“The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,” Scheidl said. The BRICS nations aim to promote a more inclusive global order that values cooperation and mutual benefit, contrasting with Trump’s “zero-sum” approach to international relations.
The BRICS summit provides a unique opportunity for nations to come together and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future. As the world grapples with numerous challenges, the BRICS nations are committed to multilateralism and international cooperation to tackle global issues like climate change, poverty, and public health. The summit’s outcomes are likely to resonate beyond the immediate issues addressed, positioning BRICS as a key player in shaping the global governance landscape.