At the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a stronger role for BRICS as a platform of solidarity and leadership for the Global South. Addressing the expanded bloc, now comprising 10 nations, Xi emphasized the group’s growing influence and the need to reshape global governance in a way that reflects the aspirations of developing countries.
Since its expansion in January 2024—with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joining the founding five (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)—BRICS now represents roughly 30% of global GDP, nearly half of the world’s population, and a fifth of international trade. Xi described the enlargement as a “historic moment” and a turning point in global realignment.
Strengthening BRICS as the Voice of the Global South
In his address, Xi urged the member states to transform BRICS into a central force for advancing collaboration among Global South nations. He called on the bloc to serve not only as a symbol of emerging power but as a key actor in steering reforms of global governance institutions.
“The summit has taken the step of inviting new partner nations into the fold,” Xi said, “marking a new chapter for cooperation and inclusive growth.”
This year’s summit marked the first in-person gathering since the bloc’s expansion. Xi reiterated China’s commitment to peace and stability, referencing the group’s collective stance on the Ukraine conflict and the humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza and Lebanon.
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Advocating Peace and Shared Security
President Xi called for BRICS to function as a force for peace, pressing member nations to support de-escalation in global conflicts. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to the “Friends of Peace” initiative, launched with Brazil and others during the 79th UN General Assembly, aimed at finding diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis.
On the Middle East, Xi pushed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and voiced support for a fair and lasting resolution to the Palestinian question. He noted the importance of coordinated responses within BRICS, highlighting the extraordinary summit held in November 2023, which brought together expanded members to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Advancing a New Global Governance Model
Xi Jinping also stressed the urgency of reforming the current international governance system. He underscored the importance of enhancing the voice of developing nations and called for further expansion of the BRICS framework to welcome more Global South countries.
With more than 30 nations expressing formal interest in joining the bloc, BRICS is rapidly evolving into a major counterbalance to traditional power centers like the G7.
Xi highlighted the need to strengthen the New Development Bank (NDB), the financial arm of BRICS established in 2014. Under the leadership of former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff, the NDB has expanded to include Bangladesh, the UAE, Uruguay, and Egypt, making it a vital tool for financing development in emerging economies.
Rousseff recently stated that BRICS, in terms of GDP, has already outpaced the G7, and the bank’s growing membership base reflects a rising demand for a fairer, multipolar financial architecture.
A Vision for Multilateralism and Inclusivity
In closing, Xi called on BRICS nations to lead with vision—building partnerships based on mutual respect and inclusiveness. He emphasized that the group’s rise symbolizes more than economic strength; it signals a shift toward a multipolar world order grounded in justice, cooperation, and shared progress.
As BRICS continues to grow in scope and influence, China is positioning the bloc not just as a political alliance, but as a transformative channel for Global South nations seeking equity in global affairs.
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