JOHANNESBURG: The leaders of the BRICS nations are set to gather in South Africa next week, with the objective of transforming their coalition of countries representing a significant quarter of the global economy into a formidable geopolitical force capable of countering the prevailing Western hegemony in global affairs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will notably be absent from the summit, as tensions have emerged within the bloc regarding the potential expansion of its membership. Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) have yet to reach a consensus on whether to admit numerous “Global South” nations that seek to join the group.
The BRICS summit, scheduled from August 22 to 24, will see the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The focal point of the summit will be the discussion of strategies to address the existing world order, which the BRICS nations perceive as skewed in favor of the United States and its affluent allies who often advocate for international norms while sometimes disregarding them.
40 Countries Interested to Join BRICS
Although specific details of the summit’s agenda remain undisclosed, the issue of expansion is expected to be a central topic. Approximately 40 nations, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina, and Egypt, have expressed interest in joining BRICS, either formally or informally, according to South African officials.
The concept of enlarging the BRICS bloc has garnered varying degrees of support among its member nations. China, motivated by its pursuit of increased geopolitical influence amid tensions with the United States, is eager for swift expansion. Brazil, on the other hand, is more cautious, concerned that a larger coalition could dilute its influence within the already diverse group.
The theme of the 15th BRICS summit, “BRICS and Africa,” underscores the importance of fostering connections between the coalition and the African continent, which has become a focal point of global power competition. South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor emphasized the bloc’s commitment to addressing the needs of the Global South, advocating for increased representation in multilateral systems, and promoting inclusive development.
The BRICS nations seek to position themselves as alternative development partners to the Western world, aiming to reform global governance systems and provide an alternative to existing financial institutions. The New Development Bank (NDB), a key initiative of the BRICS, endeavors to de-dollarize finance and offer a distinct option from traditional Breton Woods institutions.
Despite these aspirations, the NDB’s progress has been relatively modest, approving around $33 billion in loans over nearly a decade, a fraction of the commitments made by established institutions. Additionally, the bank has encountered challenges, including sanctions on member Russia.
While discussions surrounding climate change may arise during the summit, officials from Brazil, China, and South Africa suggest that it may not be a primary focus. These BRICS nations, which collectively represent 40% of the global population and greenhouse gas emissions, attribute much of the responsibility for climate change to wealthier nations and call for a more equitable burden-sharing in decarbonizing the global energy supply.
China’s alleged obstruction of climate discussions at the G20 has also come under scrutiny, with the nation denying the accusations. As the BRICS nations convene in South Africa, the summit will serve as a pivotal moment for shaping their collective geopolitical influence and their role in reshaping global dynamics.
