Leaders of the BRICS group have condemned recent attacks in Gaza and Iran, urged reforms of international institutions, and positioned the bloc as a bastion for multilateral diplomacy amid ongoing global conflicts and trade tensions.
The BRICS summit, held on July 6 in Rio de Janeiro, brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and other member countries to address pressing global issues. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cited the group’s roots in the Non-Aligned Movement, asserting BRICS’ potential to counterbalance a fragmented global order while expressing concerns over rising protectionism.
The BRICS coalition now spans over half of the global population and accounts for 40% of the world’s economic output. Since its inception in 2009 with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the group has expanded to include South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This year’s summit marks the first participation of Indonesian leaders.
A notable absence at the summit was Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sent his premier in his place. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated virtually owing to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Nevertheless, the event saw the gathering of key leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, at Rio’s Museum of Modern Art.
More than 30 nations have expressed interest in joining BRICS as full members or partners, signaling its growing influence. The summit emphasized the necessity for global institutional reforms to align with contemporary geopolitical realities. Lula accentuated the need for BRICS to spearhead these reforms by highlighting the need for changes in institutions like the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund.
In a joint statement, BRICS leaders condemned attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, labeling them violations of international law. The statement also expressed grave concern for the situation in Gaza and condemned a terrorist attack in Kashmir, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to counter terrorism in all its manifestations.
The leaders stressed the imperative of a unified global response to terrorism, emphasizing that acts of terror should bear no association with religion, nationality, or ethnicity. The statement called for the United Nations to expedite a longstanding Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and demanded action against all UN-designated terrorists and entities.
On economic matters, the joint statement warned against the impact of increasing tariffs on global trade, taking a subtle stand against the protectionist policies under U.S. President Donald Trump. BRICS supported Ethiopia and Iran’s potential candidacy for the World Trade Organization, advocating for the restoration of its dispute resolution mechanisms.
The summit also highlighted plans to establish a BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative under the New Development Bank, aiming to lower financing costs and boost investments in member countries. In discussions centered on artificial intelligence, the leaders stressed the necessity of safeguards against unauthorized AI use, calling for responsible data usage and compensation mechanisms.
In climate action dialogue, Brazil leveraged its role as host of the forthcoming United Nations climate summit to underscore the proactive stance of developing nations. Brazil, China, and the UAE have shown interest in funding the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, dedicated to preserving endangered forests globally.
The BRICS summit reaffirmed the bloc’s intention to act as a powerful voice for the Global South, urging comprehensive international reforms and strengthening multilateral initiatives in the face of global challenges.