BRICS Summit of Emerging Economies Commences in South Africa

The annual BRICS summit, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has kicked off in South Africa, as the bloc of major emerging economies aims to strengthen its collective voice and influence on the global stage, countering Western dominance in international affairs.

The BRICS nations collectively represent a quarter of the global economy, making their gathering a pivotal event for discussions on pressing global issues. With Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa leading the way, the interest in becoming part of this influential alliance has surged, further underscoring the summit’s significance.

Security measures have been heightened across Johannesburg, the host city, where South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will welcome distinguished leaders including China’s President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and around 50 other prominent figures. Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an international arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, will not attend in person; instead, his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Russia.

With a combined population of 40 percent of the world’s inhabitants spread across three continents and varying stages of economic development, the BRICS nations share a common ambition to reshape the global order, reflecting their increasing influence and interests.

The theme of the 15th summit, “BRICS and Africa,” is particularly timely, as Africa finds itself at the center of diplomatic rivalries involving the United States, Russia, and China, all vying for economic and diplomatic sway.

President Ramaphosa, on the eve of the summit, emphasized South Africa’s commitment to non-alignment and its intent to avoid getting caught up in global power struggles. He expressed the nation’s determination to focus on development issues and amplify the role of BRICS cooperation in global governance.

In an editorial published in South African media, President Xi of China stated, “We will urge the international community to refocus on development issues, promote a greater role by the BRICS cooperation mechanism in global governance, and make the voice of BRICS stronger.”

The issue of expanding BRICS membership is a contentious one, with over 40 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Argentina, expressing interest in joining. South Africa has proposed the expansion of membership, with a decision expected at the close of the summit. However, challenges surrounding consensus among the current members, particularly China and India, have prompted caution among analysts.

As the BRICS summit unfolds, the world watches keenly to see how these emerging economies navigate their collective interests, the dynamics of power, and the challenges of consensus in their pursuit of an altered global order.