As the world seeks stability and growth amid shifting geopolitical sands, the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—are laying more foundational “bricks” for even greater cooperation. This group, recently expanded in January, is building an influential structure of economic cooperation and development.
During the 2024 BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, member countries worked to cement their role as architects of prosperity for the Global South, crafting pathways to sustainable development and mutual progress.
The Global South refers to the nations of the world that are considered to have a relatively low level of economic and industrial development and are typically located to the south of more industrialized nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired the summit at the Kazan Expo on October 23, which was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva participated in the summit via video link.
The leaders at the summit adopted the Kazan Declaration and outlined the criteria for additional countries to become BRICS partner countries.
“The enlargement of BRICS is a major milestone in its history and a landmark event in the evolution of the international situation. At this summit, we have decided to invite many countries to become partner countries, which is another major progress in the development of BRICS,” Xi said during the summit’s open plenary session.
“We must build on this milestone summit to set off anew, and forge ahead with one heart and one mind,” he added.
Leaders of BRICS countries pose for a group photo during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23 (XINHUA)
Collective strength
“As the world enters a new period defined by turbulence and transformation, we are confronted with pivotal choices that will shape our future. Should we allow the world to descend into the abyss of disorder and chaos, or should we strive to steer it back on the path of peace and development?” Xi asked in his speech.
He then cited the work What Is to Be Done? by Russian writer Nikolay Chernyshevsky, saying that the protagonist’s unwavering determination and passionate drive are exactly the kind of willpower we need today.
The more tumultuous our times become, the more firmly BRICS members must stand at the forefront, exhibiting tenacity, demonstrating the audacity to pioneer and displaying the wisdom to adapt, Xi stressed, adding China is willing to work with all BRICS countries to open a new horizon in the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation.
The Kazan summit “serves as an opportunity to harness our collective strength to build a safer, more prosperous and equitable world,” South African President Ramaphosa said, adding that “in an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations. Through solidarity, we seek to advance a unified effort and mutual support among nations.”
During his speech, Xi proposed five major goals of building a BRICS committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchange.
“These proposals will elevate BRICS cooperation to new heights,” Sudheendra Kulkarni, founder of Indian think tank Forum for a New South Asia, said, adding that “the idea of building a BRICS committed to peace is particularly important in today’s world, and all countries should respond.”
Many countries in the Global South oppose the Western approach of exacerbating conflicts and providing military support. Instead, they advocate political solutions and diplomatic approach to resolving disputes, Wang Youming, Director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the Beijing-based China Institute of International Studies, told Chinese newspaper Global Times.
This summit also aimed to amplify the voices of these countries regarding ongoing global conflicts and to offer an alternative to the Western way of resolving hotspot issues, Wang added.
In his speech, Xi advocated BRICS members to uphold the three key principles in addressing the Ukraine crisis: no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities and no fanning flames and to strive for swift deescalation of the situation in Ukraine. At the same time, the group should promote an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and make unremitting efforts toward a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question.
The international power dynamics are undergoing profound changes, but global governance reform has lagged behind for a long time, Xi said, urging BRICS countries to champion true multilateralism and adhere to the vision of global governance characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
It is also important that BRICS countries promote the spirit of inclusiveness and harmonious coexistence among civilizations and enhance the exchange of governance experience, Xi said.
Mohammed Saqib, founder and Secretary General of India China Economic and Cultural Council, said exchanges of best practices and lessons learned are invaluable in governance and policy-making process. He made the comment during a forum hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) affiliated to China International Communications Group in Moscow in September.
Each BRICS country has grappled with unique development challenges and has devised innovative solutions. By sharing these experiences, whether in poverty alleviation, sustainable urbanization, digital governance or public health, member countries can accelerate their progress and avoid pitfalls, he added.
Xi said he is delighted to see that the initiative for BRICS digital education cooperation has become a reality. He added that China will implement a capacity-building program for BRICS digital education, open 10 learning centers in BRICS countries in the next five years, and provide training opportunities for 1,000 local education administrators, teachers and students.
Saqib said exchange and mutual learning among the diverse civilizations of BRICS nations are key to fostering deeper cooperation and integration. This cultural and intellectual cross-pollination is essential for building understanding and trust, and identifying shared interests and values, which can serve as the foundation for long-term strategic alignment.
By tapping into the collective wisdom of their diverse cultures, BRICS countries can create a unique model of international cooperation. This model, grounded in cultural understanding and shared values, holds the potential to contribute to a more balanced and harmonious global order, he added.
Young Chinese and Russian perform on stage in Moscow, Russia, on September 22(XINHUA)
Tangible opportunities
BRICS member states now contribute about one third of the global GDP, more than the combined share of Group of Seven countries, consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The countries now account for about 31 percent of the world’s land, 46 percent of the global population and 20 percent of global trade. They also account for about 40 percent of the world’s oil production and reserves.
“This means BRICS is in a position to meet the development requirements of not only its members but also non-member states and help alleviate global poverty,” Yu Sui, a researcher with the China Center for Contemporary World Studies, told China Daily.
At the September forum, Kulkarni said the expansion of BRICS has created a favorable atmosphere to push forward a new non-Western paradigm of global development, which is equitable and environmentally sustainable, and fulfills the social and economic needs of the majority of the world population.
China’s high-quality production capacity, as exemplified by its electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, provides a significant boost to global green development, Xi said. He also said China is willing to expand cooperation with BRICS countries in green industries, clean energy and green mining, and promote green development through the entire industrial chain, so as to increase the “green quotient” of BRICS cooperation and upgrade the quality of its development.
China has recently launched a China-BRICS artificial intelligence development and cooperation center, and will establish a BRICS deep-sea resources international research center, a China center for cooperation on development of special economic zones in BRICS countries, a China center for BRICS industrial competencies and a BRICS digital ecosystem cooperation network, welcoming active participation from all parties, Xi said.
Putin highlighted the need for the BRICS countries to strengthen cooperation in areas such as technology, education, efficient resource development, trade and logistics, finance and insurance. “Additionally, we must significantly increase the scale of investments,” he said, adding that BRICS countries are ramping up interaction in an effort to expand barrier-free e-commerce.
Members should promote the connectivity of financial infrastructure, apply high standards of financial security, expand and strengthen the New Development Bank, ensuring that the international financial system more effectively reflects the changes in the global economic landscape, Xi continued.
The bank established by BRICS has played a crucial role in supporting infrastructure and sustainable development in emerging economies, Wang said, adding that the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center in southeastern Chinese city Xiamen has also made great strides in policy communication, project development and talent training.
The pragmatic, action-oriented spirit of BRICS resonates with many Global South countries eager to join the cooperation mechanism and benefit from collaborative efforts, Wang added.
A voice for the Global South
In an interview with Russia Today on October 23, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed that Egypt is against the policy of political polarization, saying “we face serious and existential challenges at the regional and international levels, a matter that necessitates consensus among major countries.”
“We count on this economic bloc [BRICS] to be a voice for the Global South and developing countries,” Abdelatty said.
The group has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Global South. Shadrack Andile, a journalist from BRICS Africa Channel, highlighted China’s success in eradicating poverty and ensuring food security, emphasizing that no one is left behind. This serves as an inspirational model for other nations, he told Global Times.
Unlike some multilateral forums often criticized as “talkfests” for their lack of concrete outcomes, BRICS stands out for its tangible achievements, according to Wang.
As the global landscape evolves, BRICS is poised to enhance development opportunities for countries in the Global South, Andile added, stressing the urgency of accelerating some key BRICS initiatives to maximize their impact. –The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
