The 16th BRICS Summit will be held from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, Russia. Recently, we have seen a noticeable bias against BRICS from some Western circles, particularly evident in the coverage by mainstream Western media. Ironically, this bias underlines the growing strength, scale, and significance of the BRICS nations today.
The first meeting of BRICS leaders took place in June 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, with just four member countries. Now, at the Kazan Summit, the number of member countries has more than doubled, with a geographical representation that spans every continent where human beings reside, except Oceania. The BRICS bloc can no longer be simplistically defined as a “club of developing countries” as suggested by some Western politicians. Instead, its existence reflects fundamental aspirations for national growth and a more equitable international relationship.
Over the past two decades, the evolution of economic globalization has not only witnessed the rise of emerging market economies but has also continuously bolstered their power in the years that followed. However, within Western-dominated international organizations, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the representation of developing countries has consistently remained low.
Against this backdrop, a key focus of the upcoming Kazan Summit is to create a truly representative financial, trade, and transactional system. This aims to help developing nations reduce their dependency on a dollar-centric international economic framework and shift globalization towards a more equitable direction.
The unilateral and hegemonic actions of the United States in virtually every field have led to an increasing number of countries, including its own allies, gravitating towards BRICS. Western politicians who harbor biases against BRICS must remember that it is the developed nations that have appropriated various resources and benefits belonging to the Global South, thereby enjoying privileges in international relations as “rule-makers” in global finance, trade, and technology.
When confronted with the rise of BRICS, some in the West instinctively categorize this group as part of an “anti-Western camp.” In reality, while BRICS may be “non-Western,” it is certainly not “anti-Western.” All platforms, projects, and institutions under the BRICS mechanism are open to Western nations. What BRICS aims to establish is a more just and fair international order, not a “world without the West.” The goal of BRICS countries is to enhance global governance, foster international cooperation, and collaboratively tackle various global challenges, including climate change.
Currently, global development faces multiple challenges, with regional conflicts and crises occurring frequently. This situation does not stem from a “collective awakening” of developing countries but arises from the long-term deprivation imposed by Western nations on developing countries’ rights to self-determination and meaningful participation in global decision-making.
The growth and strengthening of BRICS should not be perceived by the West as a challenge but rather as a reasonable reflection of the accelerating process towards a multipolar world.
Countries in the Global South adhere to the principle of respecting all nations’ sovereignty and their right to choose their own futures. The Global South will no longer remain the “silent majority” but will become a key force in reshaping world order.
Therefore, any nation genuinely committed to achieving a fair and just international order should not view the rise of BRICS with concern but rather welcome this visionary, dynamic, and potential-rich group and the positive transformations they bring to the world. Furthermore, these nations should reflect on why BRICS was initially seen as merely a “talking shop” rather than an “action team.” Many failed to recognize the determination of BRICS members, particularly China, to drive the BRICS mechanism for a collective voice of the Global South.
China has been, is, and will continue to be a builder and promoter of BRICS and the Global South, consistently sharing development experiences and outcomes with a broad swath of developing nations. Together, they will work towards achieving a more equitable and just international order, contributing even more to global peace, development, and prosperity.
