BRICS' Influence Wanes
The BRICS bloc, traditionally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include new members such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, and Iran, bringing its total membership to 11 countries. This expansion, which reflects the group's growing influence and its appeal to countries seeking alternatives to Western-dominated global governance, has introduced diverse perspectives and interests, enhancing the group's ability to address global challenges but also presenting challenges in maintaining cohesion.
The current state of the BRICS bloc is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape, with ongoing conflicts such as the Ukraine war and tensions between the U.S. and Iran affecting its dynamics. The bloc is focusing on strengthening global South cooperation for more inclusive and sustainable governance, as highlighted by the 2025 summit's theme.
Economic and energy shifts within BRICS are significant, with a move towards green industrial policies, particularly driven by China's investments in clean energy technologies. This shift is challenging traditional energy models reliant on oil and gas, particularly in countries like Russia and Iran.
BRICS aims to strengthen economic ties through trade, investment, and financial cooperation, potentially leveraging its collective economic power to counter Western dominance. The bloc is also exploring advancements in AI, technology, and innovation, which are seen as crucial for future economic growth and global influence. Climate action and global health cooperation are also emphasised, reflecting the bloc's commitment to addressing pressing global issues.
However, the enlarged BRICS now represents nearly half the world's population and the expansion has upset the balance between democracies and autocracies, with authoritarian states now greatly outnumbering those with representative governments. The era of Third Worldism has passed, according to the BRICS.
The Brics' stance on these issues is in contrast to President Donald Trump's attacks on them. The Brics' condemnation at the summit "in the strongest terms" of Ukrainian attacks on Russian bridges and railway infrastructure was met with criticism from Kyiv, as they did not mention Russia's relentless onslaught against Ukraine's civilians.
The Brics may aim to avoid the fate of the G77 bloc of developing nations, which faded into irrelevance as its membership ballooned, by focusing on issues where it is credible, such as reform of global governance. Few would dispute that the governance of these institutions needs rejigging to give a greater voice to nations that now represent a larger share of the global economy.
In conclusion, the expanded BRICS bloc is facing both opportunities and challenges as it seeks to maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing global environment. The bloc's ability to navigate these complexities will be crucial in determining its future impact on global politics and economics.
- The enlarged BRICS bloc, now consisting of 11 countries, is focusing on advancements in AI, technology, and innovation as a crucial step towards future economic growth and global influence.
- The expanding BRICS bloc, representing nearly half the world's population, is aiming to strengthen economic ties through trade, investment, and financial cooperation, with the potential to counter Western dominance in these areas.
- The BRICS bloc's stance on global issues, such as climate action and global health cooperation, reflects its commitment to addressing pressing global issues and its goal for more inclusive and sustainable governance.
