The tide is rising in the South and the sails are sailing – Decoding the successful path to stable and long-term BRICS cooperation
The serene depths of the Volga River reflect the contemplative passage of time, while its relentless flow embodies the unstoppable currents of history. As the world turns its gaze toward the banks of the Volga, historical significance radiates from the ancient city of Kazan, where the 16th BRICS Summit takes place from October 22 to 24. Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending this significant gathering, marking the first in-person leaders’ meeting following the historic expansion of BRICS. As the world finds itself in a period of turbulence and transformation, humanity stands at a crucial crossroads: will we allow chaos to continue, or will we strive to return to a path of peaceful development? The world is in dire need of wisdom and strength to break through uncertainty. With its expansion, the “Big BRICS” now finds itself at a pivotal moment, presenting unique historical opportunities to innovate and evolve, while reinforcing the foundations of cooperation and gathering collective momentum.
On October 23, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address entitled “Looking Ahead with Determination, Breaking Through the Clouds to Propel High-Quality Development of ‘Big BRICS Cooperation’,” highlighting the mission and vision of BRICS cooperation. “As the winds of the times grow stronger, we must stand at the forefront with unwavering determination and courage,” he stated. This speech resonated deeply, inspiring the “Global South” to seize the moment and contribute “Chinese wisdom and solutions” to the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
This is indeed an era of revival and renewal in the Global South. Since the end of World War II and particularly following the Bandung Conference, the movements for national liberation in Asia, Africa, and Latin America have flourished, leading to the disintegration of the colonial system and the achievement of sovereignty by many developing nations. In the post-Cold War landscape, new emerging markets and developing countries have harnessed the winds of globalization, propelling their development and significantly enhancing their national strength and international influence.
The rise of the Global South represents an irreversible trend in history. As countries of the Global South gained a larger share of the world’s economy—now exceeding 40%—the center of global economic gravity shifted towards these nations. “The collective rise of the Global South marks a defining feature of the global transformation,” President Xi noted, reflecting on the profound changes in the world.
Changes in the international balance of power inevitably lead to new forms of international relations. The inaugural meeting among the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006 set the stage for the beginning of BRICS cooperation. This led to the first BRICS leaders’ meeting in 2009, officially launching the cooperative mechanism among these nations.
What began as an investment concept by Goldman Sachs has evolved into a prominent cooperative mechanism among four emerging markets, growing in influence and successfully expanding its membership. The “Big BRICS” now stands as a leading force among the Global South. Amid this sweeping historical tide, more developing countries are experiencing political awakening and economic growth, uniting to emerge as a critical force advocating for change in the international order.
“The convergence of BRICS nations is based on shared aspirations and reflects the trends of global peace and development,” President Xi highlighted.
The currents of history continue to converge into powerful rivers, driving change within the international community. Emerging from the collective rise of developing countries, BRICS embodies the hopes of the Global South for peaceful development and justice. The collaboration within BRICS over the past 18 years has advocated for fairness and justice while fostering common development, gradually establishing a multi-layered, multi-faceted cooperation framework that serves as a model for South-South cooperation.
Since the official inclusion of South Africa in 2010, through the historic expansion achieved in 2023, and the proposal for the “BRICS+” cooperation model, the BRICS framework has continued to evolve and expand its “circle of friends.” It has become the hallmark and main platform for solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, injecting strong momentum into the pursuit of a more equitable global multipolarity and inclusive economic globalization.
BRICS represents a stabilizing force for collective security. With global tensions and the specter of Cold War mentality casting shadows over peace, BRICS nations steadfastly stand for justice and peace. During the protracted Ukraine crisis, China and Brazil, alongside like-minded nations in the Global South, initiated the “Friends of Peace” group, which aims to amplify peaceful resolutions. In response to escalating conflicts in Gaza, BRICS leaders convened a special video summit addressing the issues between Israel and Palestine, coordinating positions and actions to be a crucial force promoting dialogue and peace. The global security initiative proposed by President Xi has received positive responses, achieving significant milestones in regional stability and beyond.
BRICS also plays a pivotal role in promoting common development. The challenges of economic decoupling and coercive measures have seriously impeded global economic growth. BRICS nations focus on development, continuously advancing cooperation in finance, trade, investment, energy, and infrastructure, thus assisting Global South countries in achieving mutual success and revitalization. Dilma Rousseff, the former Brazilian president and current head of the New Development Bank, emphasizes that BRICS cooperation among emerging economies constantly deepens, unleashing significant development potential.
In the landscape of global governance reform, BRICS countries are dedicated to mobilizing the Global South, advocating for genuine multilateralism that embodies fairness, justice, and inclusivity. The Kazan Declaration resulting from the summit expresses a commitment to enhancing the voice of the Global South within the G20 agenda, solidifying its priority issues.
The vitality and appeal of the BRICS cooperation mechanism reflect a collective desire for peace and joint development among nations. As researcher Atilla Aydintasbas from the Brookings Institution aptly notes, “BRICS sends a cohesive signal to the world, expressing a yearning for a different global order.”
As history documents the BRICS narrative, it captures not only fruitful cooperative accomplishments but also the distinctive character and spirit of the era. With shared hopes for peace and development, the steadfast and cooperative spirit of “openness, inclusivity, and mutual benefit” has pervaded 18 years of collaboration, reflecting the essence of BRICS cooperation.
The commitment to openness and inclusivity is a defining trait of BRICS cooperation. This trait manifests itself in the promotion of an open global economy, facilitating trade and investment liberalization, while striving for a more equitable distribution of globalization’s benefits. It is also evident in BRICS nations respecting each other’s paths to development while expanding the “BRICS+” model to welcome more nations into the “BRICS family,” continually broadening the reach and benefits of BRICS collaboration.
Mutual benefit lies at the heart of BRICS cooperation, evident in the strengthened triad of political security, economic-financial dynamics, and cultural exchanges. This includes deepening cooperation in traditional areas like agriculture, energy, and trade, while also exploring emerging sectors such as green technology and artificial intelligence, thereby enhancing the well-being of BRICS peoples. The partnership aims to uplift more developing countries, increasing their representation and voice in global governance, leading to fairer and more reasonable international dynamics.
“Geographical distances do not hinder aligned aspirations,” President Xi summarized the essence of rapid BRICS development: “It is about mutual respect and assistance, working together along suitable development paths for each country while upholding the spirit of openness, inclusivity, and cooperation.”
The success of the BRICS cooperation mechanism is largely attributed to China’s leadership and drive. Observers have noted China’s pivotal role in consolidating BRICS power and facilitating progress over the past eighteen years, often remarking on how difficult it is to envision BRICS without China’s influence.
Since 2013, President Xi Jinping has attended each BRICS summit, putting forth essential proposals to promote significant leaps in BRICS cooperation. His initiatives ranged from advocating for a “integrated market” to introducing the “BRICS+” cooperation model, and pushing for the historic expansion of BRICS. Each key moment has been marked by China’s impactful contributions.
At the Kazan Summit, President Xi introduced five major proposals for the future of BRICS, focusing on the creation of “Peaceful BRICS,” “Innovative BRICS,” “Green BRICS,” “Just BRICS,” and “Cultural BRICS.” This vision for elevating BRICS cooperation signals a clear direction for the collective future. Researchers, such as Sudhindra Kulkarni and Zukiswa Robaji, have expressed optimism that these proposals will propel BRICS to new heights.
China’s steadfast commitment to BRICS cooperation is evident through various new initiatives. The New Development Bank has approved over 100 projects, totaling around $35 billion in loans to bolster infrastructure and sustainable development for emerging economies. The robust collaboration between the Belt and Road Initiative and BRICS has led to numerous community-beneficial projects, while diverse cultural exchange activities further bridge connections among BRICS nations.
As global conditions become increasingly tumultuous, the clarion call for peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit gains significance. The comprehensive framework of “Big BRICS Cooperation” focuses on human welfare and global advancement, setting the stage for a promising future.
The currents of history continue to flow vigorously, and as the Global South unites, we are likely to witness a powerful coalition emerge to forge a brighter future for a community with a shared destiny.