BRICS Leaders Strengthen Alliance in Collaborative Meeting

In a day marked by dialogue and cooperation, BRICS leaders convened to exchange views on current global and regional issues. The session focused on three dimensions of collaboration promoted by the Russian presidency: political and security matters, economic and financial issues, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading the meeting, highlighted the alliance’s potential in key areas such as economy, science, demographics, and politics. He emphasized Russia’s interest in strengthening BRICS’ influence on the international stage to help address both global and local challenges. Putin projected that by the end of 2024, member nations of the group will represent 36.7% of the global economy, surpassing the G7.

The president also called for consideration of requests from over 30 countries from the Global South and East seeking to join the alliance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged BRICS to take the lead in reforming the global governance system and act as defenders of global security. In his remarks, he stressed the importance of multilateralism and the need to listen to voices from the Global South to ensure common peace and security

. He also underscored the role of the New Development Bank of BRICS in the global financial system and advocated for an end to the crisis in Ukraine and the conflict in Palestine.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called on BRICS members to collaborate on joint development programs focused on exports and technological exchange. He praised the progress of the New Development Bank and emphasized that the group must ensure sustainable development for all nations, not just its members. He also called for changes in trade routes to promote more sustainable industrialization.

From Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva participated via videoconference and highlighted the urgency of establishing alternative payment methods and transactions among BRICS countries. He clarified that this does not mean replacing national currencies but rather working towards a multipolar order reflected in the international financial system.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment among leaders to strengthen their cooperation and tackle global challenges from a unified perspective.