The BRICS group, twenty years after its establishment, has transformed from an economic group into a broader platform for cooperation that addresses issues of development, technology, and global governance through expanded membership and agenda.
New Opportunities for the Global South
Following the recent BRICS summit in New Delhi, experts believe that this group has provided an opportunity for the countries of the Global South to engage in more cooperation and strengthen their voice in global affairs.
The BRICS cooperation mechanism was officially launched in 2006, with its first summit held in 2009. Since then, the group has expanded not only in the number of members but also in its cooperation agenda. Today, BRICS members account for nearly half of the world's population, about 30 percent of global GDP, and one-fifth of global trade.
China's Role and BRICS Goals
Mikatsukiso Kubai, a senior researcher at Johannesburg University, pointed out that BRICS has not only expanded in membership but also deepened its cooperation into areas such as energy, culture, transportation, technology, and security.
Marcus Vinicius de Freitas, a guest professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, described BRICS as a valuable mechanism for managing differences and turning common interests into practical cooperation in a multipolar world. He also emphasized that China, as the driving force of BRICS, has a consensus leadership that refers to a win-win perspective in foreign policy and global trade.
With the growth of BRICS, its potential to provide a stronger voice for developing countries in shaping global governance has also increased. Gan Tian Lu, Vice President of the Malaysia-China Public Relations Association, highlighted the importance of BRICS countries' agreement in responding to challenges such as financial crises, pandemics, and unilateralism.
At the summit, Xi Jinping, President of China, urged BRICS countries to take the lead in innovative development, maintaining peace and stability, facilitating mutual learning among civilizations, and reforming global governance.
As BRICS enters its third decade, the focus has shifted towards implementing and achieving operational goals. The group aims to strengthen its cooperation in areas such as technology, health security, agriculture, and other fields through new initiatives.
