A Step Towards Global Peace and Cooperation
The speeches delivered by President Xi Jinping during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, have been hailed as crucial for promoting global peace and cooperation. Experts worldwide commend his vision of transforming BRICS into a key platform for fostering solidarity and collaboration among member nations.
In his address, Xi urged BRICS countries to commit to peace, innovation, green development, justice, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges. He articulated a vision where BRICS members act as defenders of common security, champions of high-quality development, advocates for sustainable practices, leaders in global governance reform, and proponents of harmonious coexistence among all civilizations.
Karori Singh, former director and emeritus fellow at the South Asia Studies Centre, University of Rajasthan, India, noted that Xi’s call reflects a recognition of diversity and multilateralism in international relations. Singh highlighted that China’s commitment to contributing to common security, sustainable development, and global governance reform underscores its readiness for both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Moreover, Xi clarified that BRICS does not oppose existing organizations but rather seeks to enhance their effectiveness in a more equitable and democratic manner, promoting empathy and fairness among nations, regardless of their wealth or power. His call to action aimed at positioning BRICS as a primary channel for solidarity among Global South countries and a leader in advancing global governance reform.
Francisco Dominguez, former head of research on Latin American Studies at Middlesex University, UK, remarked that the summit represented a significant move toward fostering global multilateral collaboration, with the Global South poised to reap the most benefits.
Adhere Cavince, an international relations scholar based in Nairobi, Kenya, expressed that this year’s BRICS summit marked a significant development towards inclusive and effective multilateralism. He noted that, amid rising ultranationalism in some major countries, Xi’s emphasis on targeted reforms of global governance structures, promotion of green development, and cultivation of intercultural understanding is particularly timely.
Experts also commended Xi’s principled approach to resolving ongoing global conflicts. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, president of the Center of Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge and executive director of the Center for South Asia & International Studies in Islamabad, praised Xi’s focus on de-escalating the Ukraine crisis through principles aimed at avoiding battlefield expansion, escalation of conflict, and provocation by any party. He also recognized Xi’s efforts toward a fair and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, which brings hope for peace and an immediate ceasefire.
