MWE Correspondent
Leaders from the influential BRICS bloc — made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — convened this weekend in Rio de Janeiro, seeking to realign the global balance of power through reforms in diplomacy, trade, climate policy, and international institutions.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the two-day summit with a bold statement: “We are witnessing the unparalleled collapse of multilateralism.” He argued that current systems of international governance, like the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), no longer reflect today’s multipolar world.
The BRICS alliance, now accounting for over 40% of the global population and a growing share of world GDP, is increasingly positioning itself as a voice for the Global South. The bloc called for a revamp of global financial institutions, demanding greater representation and decision-making power for developing economies. Lula emphasized, “If global rules aren’t updated to reflect new realities, then BRICS must step up and reshape them.”
One of the most pointed criticisms was directed at NATO, the Western military alliance. Lula slammed its recent decision to raise member defense spending targets to 5% of GDP, calling it a “dangerous escalation” that risks fueling a new arms race while leaving development and climate financing promises unfulfilled.
This criticism was especially sharp in contrast with the Official Development Assistance pledge of 0.7% of GDP — a promise still unmet by many rich countries. As Lula asked, “Why is there always money for weapons, but never enough for peace or sustainable development?”
The summit also tackled international trade imbalances. In their joint declaration, BRICS leaders condemned rising protectionist measures, including tariffs and sanctions that violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The comments came in the wake of Donald Trump‘s recent threat to impose 10% tariffs on BRICS-aligned nations if he returns to power — a move viewed by many as economically reckless and diplomatically divisive.
On climate policy, the summit was a platform for new initiatives. Brazil launched its Tropical Forests Forever Facility — a bold climate fund aimed at protecting the Amazon and other global forests. The facility received early backing from China and the United Arab Emirates. BRICS leaders also rejected European Union carbon border taxes, calling them discriminatory against developing economies working toward greener futures.
Also Read; Kagame Expresses Doubt Over Peace Deal With Congo
Meanwhile, calls for UN Security Council reform gained traction. India, Brazil, and South Africa reiterated their longstanding demands for permanent seats, arguing that the current structure is outdated and favors post-World War II powers at the expense of emerging voices.
Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend in person, instead sending Premier Li Qiang. Russia’s Vladimir Putin also addressed the gathering via video link due to ongoing international legal challenges — notably the International Criminal Court warrant issued against him in 2023. Still, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa participated in person, affirming the bloc’s commitment to unity despite differences.
The summit also touched on global conflicts. The leaders condemned recent violence in Gaza and Iran and reiterated support for a peaceful two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They also condemned terrorism, referencing the deadly April attack in Kashmir.
While BRICS remains a diverse group — combining liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes — its members are increasingly aligned on the need for reform. The Rio summit concluded with calls for deeper cooperation in artificial intelligence governance, public health, and digital innovation.
