As the 17th BRICS Summit approaches in Rio de Janeiro, Greater BRICS is emerging as a powerful platform for the Global South. With Colombia and Uzbekistan joining the New Development Bank (NDB), this expansion signals a new era of inclusive cooperation, amplifying the voices of developing nations across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Today, BRICS members represent nearly half the world's population and deliver over 50 percent of global growth.
Blueprint for South-South cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for opening a new horizon in the high-quality development of Greater BRICS cooperation, positioning the bloc as the primary channel for Global South solidarity and a vanguard for global governance reform. Echoing this sentiment, the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, urged BRICS members to uphold independence, self-reliance and shared responsibility at the summit's Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance plenary session.
To drive this agenda, China will establish a China-BRICS research center on new quality productive forces and launch scholarships for talent cultivation in key sectors like industry and telecommunications. China's early proposal of the BRICS Plus model laid the groundwork for wider collaboration with emerging economies, underpinned by a vision of peace, innovation, green development and closer people-to-people exchanges.
Reforming global governance
BRICS's rise is already reshaping global power structures. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlights that BRICS countries now contribute 40 percent of global GDP, growing at 4 percent in 2024 – outpacing the world average. The NDB, founded in 2015 to serve the Global South, has approved more than 120 projects worth $40 billion, offering practical solutions in trade, infrastructure and finance.
At the Rio summit, leaders united behind the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to a more inclusive and balanced global governance system. In his closing remarks, the Chinese premier emphasized China's readiness to work hand in hand with fellow BRICS members to build a just, equitable and efficient world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
