The world is witnessing the remarkable success of the BRICS Initiative. The BRICS success story is its alignment with the goals of sustainability, inclusivity, and diversity. BRICS partners including China, South Africa, Brazil, Russia, and India have sought to create a future global society emphasizing cooperation over confrontation, rejecting “bloc confrontation” . The principles of mutual respect, cooperation, and the pursuit of win-win outcomes have guided their actions, leading to the formation of a more harmonious and diverse global order.
Expanding this mechanism is essential for developing a more harmonious global order based on mutual respect rather than unilateral interventionism, economic integration rather than sanctions, and technology transfer rather than technological blockades. China has always advocated for the BRICS members to maintain true multilateralism, shun bloc consolidation, and promote both solidarity and achieve win-win cooperation. As the globe faces a weak economic recovery, a widening development gap, and critical issues such as climate change and digital governance, China has taken the lead in solving international challenges and promoting global governance.
The strengthening of BRICS is not only pivotal for the development of member countries but also paves way for development of the Global South. The shared problems and needs of these nations make collaborative efforts more effective, enabling them to work together for mutual development. The proposal to use their own currencies for investment and trade adds a layer of economic independence and self-sufficiency, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the world economy.
China Transformative role
With massive economy and impressive technological and infrastructure advancements, China has emerged as a key player. Initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and the Global Security Initiative (GSI) have also gained support in the Global South. China’s emphasis on green, sustainable growth aligns with the BRICS values and demonstrates its commitment to positive change.
China has always been on the right side of history and believes that a just cause should be pursued for the common good. It has always underscored the importance of inclusive development, universal security, cultural exchange, and the collective rise of emerging economies and developing countries for a better world.
Recently, BRICS countries welcomed six new members from three different continents during the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a historic milestone that showed the solidarity of BRICS among developing countries and the determination to work together for a better future. The expansion of the BRICS as a new starting point for multilateral cooperation will play a positive role in more equitable and just global governance.
Fear of west about BRICS
The US and West are seeing the potential expansion of the BRICS grouping as “a threat” an attempt to turn BRICS into an anti-G7 group to counter the West. There is misunderstanding, which reflects the West’s ill-intentioned motives to turn the multilateral cooperation mechanism into one of clique-driven confrontation and geopolitical rivalry. The trend towards expansion of BRICS will send a strong shockwave to the Western-led international system. BRICS is against any kind of hegemony and bloc confrontation.
The financial sanctions on Russia has indicated hegemonic designs and dictation driven agenda by few of the western countries, which has forced the rest of world to look for alternatives.
The more developing countries hoping to join the BRICS shows expectations of strengthening their voices and autonomy in global issues, advocating for a more equitable, just, diverse, and multi-polar international order.
Written by:-
Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad |