Leaders and representatives from the BRICS alliance, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newer members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, convene in Rio de Janeiro for the 17th annual summit starting Sunday.
The two-day event, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, aims to strengthen cooperation among Global South nations.
Key agenda items include trade, investment, financial systems, artificial intelligence, global health, and climate action, with a focus on reducing dependency on Western-dominated institutions.
The summit is overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff policies, which BRICS leaders are expected to criticize as harmful to the global economy.
Geopolitical issues, including Israel’s actions in Gaza and strikes on Iran, a BRICS member since 2024, are also fueling discussions, with some members advocating for a stronger stance.
The absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an ICC arrest warrant, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who cited a scheduling conflict, raises questions about the bloc’s unity, with Prime Minister Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov representing their respective nations.
Representing nearly half the world’s population and 44% of global GDP, BRICS positions itself as a counterweight to the G7, advocating for a multipolar world order.
The bloc, which includes 10 partner countries like Vietnam and Cuba, seeks to enhance Global South representation in global governance and create alternative financial systems.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among the key attendees, underscoring the summit’s global significance.