The 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24, has been hailed as a pivotal event that now rivals, and in many ways surpasses, the importance of the G7 and G20 on the global stage. For the first time, new BRICS members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE participated as official members following their recent admission, joining 36 other countries with more than 20 leaders in attendance. This growing alliance now represents over 40% of the world’s population, a figure expected to reach half if additional nations join, showcasing BRICS as a potent and authoritative global association, noted Australian columnist Jerry Grey in Pearls & Irritations.
Grey emphasized that, in contrast to Western narratives, BRICS is not focused on anti-West or anti-Dollar motives but is driven by a commitment to economic inclusivity and eliminating global poverty. According to Grey, “BRICS isn’t about being an anti-West or anti-Dollar organization; it’s about removing barriers to global impoverishment,” indicating that BRICS prioritizes equitable development and economic cooperation among the Global South. He argued that the gathering marked a notable shift in global influence as the summit represented a more diverse range of countries than typical Western-dominated alliances.
The columnist criticized Western media coverage, pointing out a “stunning lack of journalistic integrity” as they underreported the summit’s large attendance and minimized its significance. Grey also noted the contrast with a Commonwealth meeting led by UK King Charles III in Samoa, held during the same period but lacking the representation of key nations like South Africa and India, whose leaders were instead present at the BRICS summit.
Grey further addressed how BRICS is reshaping global narratives around China and Russia, noting that China and India, despite past tensions, were both actively engaging within the BRICS framework. He argued that Western narratives suggesting isolation of China and Russia are misleading, given that both nations are gaining allies and finding new avenues of cooperation through BRICS.
The BRICS alliance, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has grown beyond economic interests to encompass diplomatic coordination on issues of global equity. With recent expansions and increased influence, the organization is working toward establishing an equitable economic order that challenges the dominance of Western-led institutions, and its impact on global politics and economics is expected to increase in the coming years.
