On Tuesday, BRICS leaders will gather in South Africa as the informal coalition of significant emerging economies looks to exert its influence as a counterbalance to Western hegemony in international affairs.
A quarter of the world’s economy is made up of the so-called BRICS countries, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Interest in joining the group has increased in advance of the group’s three-day meeting in Johannesburg.
In the city where South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will receive Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and over 50 other leaders, security has been stepped up.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted internationally for suspected war crimes in Ukraine, will not be present in person and will be represented by his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.
The BRICS, which represent 40% of the global population over three continents and have economies that are experiencing varying degrees of expansion, have a similar aspiration for a world order that better reflects their interests and growing influence.
“BRICS and Africa” is the focus of the 15th summit, which takes place as the United States, Russia, and China compete for political and economic clout on the continent.
Ahead of the summit, Ramaphosa said that South Africa will “not be drawn into a contest between global powers” and reaffirmed the country’s long-standing non-alignment policy.
“We will urge the international community to refocus on development issues, promote a greater role by the BRICS cooperation mechanism in global governance, and make the voice of BRICS stronger,” China’s Xi said in an editorial published in South African media on Monday.
