IRIA News

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The 16th BRICS Summit took place in Kazan, Russia, on October 22-24, 2024. The summit marked a significant diplomatic event, bringing together leaders from some of the world’s largest emerging economies.

The summit marked the largest event that Russia has hosted in years and a signal to the West amid the war in Ukraine. It includes 24 leaders and delegations from 32 nations, marking the first under the expanded BRICS+ format, which now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE. With this expansion, BRICS+ represents over 40% of the global population and aims to challenge the Western-dominated global order.

Key issues at the summit

The summit’s agenda focused heavily on global conflicts and international cooperation, with particular attention on the Ukraine crisis and the escalating violence in the Middle East, including Gaza and Lebanon. Several leaders made pleas for peaceful resolutions, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue and diplomacy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hosted the summit, framed the gathering as evidence that Western efforts to isolate Moscow have failed. In his address, Putin stressed the importance of a multipolar world order, stating, “The process of forming a multipolar world order is underway, a dynamic and irreversible process” and accused Western nations of undermining global stability through protectionism and sanctions.

However, Putin faced direct calls from his fellow leaders of BRICS member countries to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of avoiding further escalation in Ukraine, saying, “We must adhere to the three principles of ‘no spillover from the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no adding oil to the fire by relevant parties.’”

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed the need for diplomacy over conflict. “We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war,” Modi said, a reflection of India’s consistent stance of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who participated virtually, warned of the global risks posed by the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. “As we face two wars that have the potential to become global, it is essential to restore our ability to work together toward common goals,” Lula stated, reiterating Brazil’s calls for peaceful negotiations.

A key focus of the summit is creating an alternative financial system to counter Western influence. This includes proposals for a BRICS payment system, de-dollarization, a BRICS digital currency, and alternatives to the IMF. These initiatives highlight the bloc’s goal of establishing a multipolar economic order, as an alternative to the U.S.-dominated Western financial system. Russia seeks to showcase this vision.

Focus on Middle East crisis

Amid the escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon, several BRICS leaders issued appeals for a ceasefire. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on BRICS members to leverage their collective influence to halt the war, stating that the bloc must “use all their collective and individual capacities to end the war in Gaza and Lebanon.”

This sentiment was echoed by Xi Jinping, who emphasized the need to work toward a “comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue.” The summit thus provided a platform for BRICS members to jointly address not just the Ukraine war, but also the increasing instability in the Middle East.

Beyond immediate conflicts, the Kazan summit also focused on shaping a future where global governance is not dominated by Western powers. Putin emphasized that BRICS serves as a crucial counterbalance to Western-led international organizations like the G7. In particular, the bloc discussed measures to reduce reliance on Western financial and trade systems, with Putin urging the creation of alternative payment mechanisms that would allow BRICS countries to trade more freely without being subject to Western sanctions.

Xi also stressed that the “strategic partnership” between China and Russia was a stabilizing force in a world gripped by “chaos.” In the current geopolitical climate, BRICS countries see their cooperation as essential in confronting what they perceive as Western hegemonism, which has increasingly strained international relations, particularly for Russia and China.

Bilateral meetings on the sidelines

Several bilateral meetings took place at the sideline of the summit, where countries engaged in individual talks on critical global and regional issues. One of the most anticipated bilateral meetings was between Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose visit to Russia signaled Turkey’s ongoing interest in mediating the Ukraine conflict. Erdogan has previously offered to broker negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, though concrete results have yet to materialize.

Similarly, President Lula also had key bilateral meetings scheduled with leaders of BRICS and other invited countries. According to Eduardo Paes Saboia, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, these bilateral agendas were aimed at strengthening ties ahead of Brazil’s assumption of the BRICS presidency in 2025.

Lula’s focus was on ensuring that Brazil continues its tradition of productive presidencies, which have historically emphasized concrete outcomes such as the creation of the New Development Bank in 2014 during Brazil’s previous tenure​.

BRICS expansion

This year’s summit was marked by the addition of four new members, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Ethiopia, cementing BRICS’ growing influence on the global stage. With new voices at the table, the bloc’s potential to shape global governance, trade, and financial systems is expected to increase. Leaders emphasized their commitment to multilateralism and equitable global development.

A joint statement released by BRICS ministers prior to the summit reaffirmed their dedication to reforming global institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), aiming to give greater representation and voice to developing countries.

📸 #PhotoOfTheDay

Leaders of #BRICS & the multipolar world 👍#BRICS2024 #Day1 pic.twitter.com/nMG3bZr0AQ

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) October 22, 2024

The summit also saw a renewed focus on sustainable development and climate finance. Leaders expressed hope for strong outcomes from upcoming international conferences, including COP29, particularly in terms of mobilizing resources to help developing countries meet climate goals.

Amid ongoing global conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, BRICS leaders called for dialogue and diplomacy, while also seeking to enhance cooperation within the group to address the challenges posed by Western dominance in global governance. With the expansion of BRICS membership and the strengthening of its institutional frameworks, the group appears poised to play an increasingly influential role in shaping global affairs in the years to come.

Key takeaways from BRICS summit

Here are the key takeaways from the 16th BRICS summit:

Expanded BRICS Format: The summit marked the first under the expanded BRICS+ format, now including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, representing over 40% of the global population and aiming to challenge Western dominance.

Alternative Financial Systems: The summit explored initiatives for a BRICS payment system, de-dollarization, and the establishment of a BRICS digital currency to reduce reliance on Western financial structures and promote a multipolar economic order.

Collective Action in the Middle East: Leaders expressed grave concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon, urging BRICS members to utilize their influence to advocate for ceasefires and a comprehensive resolution to regional conflicts.

Putin faces calls to end Ukraine war: Russian President Vladimir Putin faced direct calls to end the Ukraine conflict from some of his closest and most important partners as world leaders gathered in Russia for the largest diplomatic forum hosted by Russia since it began its invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for peaceful resolutions to conflicts, emphasizing dialogue and the need to prevent further escalation in Ukraine.