BRICS Summit in Rio: A Test of Cohesion Amidst Global Tensions

BRICS leaders are meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a two-day summit, where they will address significant global political issues, including Israel's actions towards Iran, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and trade tariffs imposed by the United States. However, the absence of key figures such as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin raises questions about the bloc’s cohesion and future influence on world affairs. This summit marks the first time Xi has missed a BRICS meeting since taking power in 2012, citing scheduling conflicts. In his place, Prime Minister Li Qiang is representing China. Vladimir Putin is also absent, reportedly avoiding arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attending instead while Putin addressed the summit via video. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the importance of this summit, stating it is set against an 'unparalleled collapse of multilateralism.' He urged the group to promote peace and act as mediators in global conflicts. Lula called upon BRICS to aid in renewing international governance to better reflect the multipolar reality of the present century. The BRICS leaders are expected to produce three joint statements during the summit, potentially addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli actions toward Iran, and offering a comprehensive declaration concerning Russia's war in Ukraine and other conflicts in the Middle East. This year’s agenda reflects a more moderated approach compared to last year when the focus was primarily on developing alternatives to U.S.-dominated payment systems to avoid sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As the host nation, Brazil has outlined six strategic priorities for the summit: global cooperation in healthcare, trade, investment and finance, climate change, governance of artificial intelligence, peacemaking and security, and institutional development. This summit comes at a crucial time for Lula, who faces challenges at home including declining popularity and conflicts with Congress. The gathering also presents an opportunity to bolster negotiations on climate commitments ahead of the COP 30 climate talks scheduled in November in Brazil's northern Amazon region. Overall, the outcomes of the BRICS summit will be closely observed, not only for the group's internal dynamics but also for their responses to pressing global issues underscoring the evolving geopolitical landscape. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2