The 17th annual BRICS summit has commenced in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking a significant gathering of global leaders to discuss pressing international issues. This year’s event is expected to draw approximately 4,000 participants from 37 countries, including senior representatives from member states, partners, and international organizations. The two-day summit will focus on key areas such as global development and governance, international policy, and multilateral cooperation.
Brazil, which holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, has outlined six priorities for this year’s agenda. These include global health cooperation, trade, investment, and finance, climate change, AI governance, reform of the multilateral peace and security system, and institutional development within BRICS. Rio Deputy Mayor Eduardo Cavalieri has announced that the city has officially offered to host a permanent BRICS headquarters, underscoring the city’s commitment to the bloc.
The summit will see the participation of several high-profile leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who have already arrived in Rio. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia in person, while President Vladimir Putin will join the summit’s plenary session via video link. China’s delegation will be led by Prime Minister Li Qiang, as President Xi Jinping is unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, marking his first absence in 12 years. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is also expected to attend the summit.
BRICS, which was founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011, has undergone significant expansion over the past year. Full membership has been extended to Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Indonesia, bringing the total number of member states to 11. The bloc now represents nearly half the global population and about 40% of the world’s GDP in terms of purchasing power parity, surpassing the G7. This growing influence is a testament to the bloc’s increasing significance on the global stage.
The summit’s main event, a plenary session called ‘Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence,’ is scheduled to take place on Sunday. This session will provide a platform for leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on pressing global issues and explore opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. As the world grapples with numerous challenges, the BRICS summit offers a unique opportunity for nations to come together and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
