Leaders of the expanding BRICS coalition gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025, for a pivotal two-day summit aimed at strengthening cooperation among emerging economies and challenging Western dominance in global affairs. The summit, hosted by Brazil during its rotating presidency, brought together heads of state and representatives from the bloc’s full members including Brazil, India, South Africa, and China (represented by Premier Li Qiang) alongside new members such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Notably absent were Russian President Vladimir Putin, barred from attending due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sent Premier Li Qiang as his delegate. Despite these absences, the summit underscored BRICS’s growing influence, representing over 55% of the world’s population and nearly half of global GDP.
The leaders condemned protectionist trade measures, implicitly criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, and reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism amid increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva likened BRICS to the heir of the Cold War-era Non-Aligned Movement, emphasizing the bloc’s role in defending autonomy against Western hegemony.
Key agenda items included global health cooperation, climate change, governance of artificial intelligence, peace and security, and reform of international institutions. Brazil advocated for modernizing cross-border payment systems to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar, promoting local currency transactions facilitated by blockchain technology.
While the summit highlighted BRICS’s ambition to reshape global economic and political dynamics, experts noted challenges in achieving unified leadership due to diverse member interests and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
As the bloc continues to expand and assert itself on the world stage, the Rio summit marked a significant moment in the pursuit of a multipolar global order centered on the Global South’s priorities.