As the Russia and Western tensions continue to unfold, Ukraine, Moscow, and key allies stand as a counterweight to the United States and the European Union. This stance emerged during the BRICS summit held recently in Johannesburg, a bloc that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Collectively, BRICS accounts for about 42% of the world’s population, around 30% of regional activity, roughly 23% of global GDP, and about 18% of international trade. At the gathering on Wednesday, the group signaled openness to new members in a bid to forge a more inclusive global order. (Source: BRICS summit coverage)
“While BRICS remains focused on advancing the interests of the Global South, it is prepared to cooperate with all nations that seek a more inclusive international system,” stated Cyril Ramaphosa, inviting nations ready to engage with the bloc. South Africa, hosting the summit, continues to hold the rotating presidency this year. (Source: BRICS statements)
More letters to BRICS
Developing countries have frequently voiced concerns about a perceived American-led global monopoly. “The world is changing. New economic, political, social, and technological realities call for broader cooperation,” said the South African president. Multilateralism remains a central theme for these states, who want their influence reflected in global leadership. (Source: BRICS discussions)
South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor indicated in local media that member states approved a formal document outlining policies and conditions for member expansion. The rollout includes pathways for regional powers such as Ethiopia, the Congo, and Kazakhstan to join BRICS, with up to 40 candidate nations and 22 others expressing interest. Algeria, Bangladesh, Venezuela, and Iran are among those who have officially applied. (Source: BRICS expansion talks)
BRICS began as the BRIC alliance in 2009 and expanded with the addition of South Africa in 2011, which is how the group acquired the S in its acronym. The Indian Business Standard noted that five candidates Argentina, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia could receive formal nominations during the day. (Source: BRICS history)
Economic and technological cooperation
Beyond sustaining growth, a major objective of the summit was to strengthen economic ties among BRICS members. Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke about creating a common instrument for payments and investments across BRICS, arguing that such a mechanism could reduce vulnerability and improve resilience in trade. (Source: BRICS economic proposals)
Through the New Development Bank, the bloc aims to offer alternative financing options tailored to member needs and the Global South. The proposal envisions a shared unit of value for commercial transactions and investments, which could widen payment channels and lessen exposure to external shocks. (Source: BRICS finance discussions)
Technological collaboration also featured prominently, with India signaling advances in space exploration as a new frontier for BRICS cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted ongoing work on a BRICS satellite constellation and noted that research in astronomy, meteorology, and related fields could benefit collectively from shared resources and data. (Source: BRICS space and science discussions)
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized cautious progress in certain areas, expressing concern about risks associated with artificial intelligence and calling for coordinated efforts to mitigate potential threats. The aim was to manage AI developments responsibly within the BRICS framework. (Source: BRICS technology talks)
Attendance at the summit was nearly universal, with the exception of Vladimir Putin, who participated remotely. Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in person. Caution around the International Criminal Court and possible arrest warrants influenced the Kremlin’s decision to stay distant from direct appearances. (Source: BRICS leadership updates)