BRICS Summit Condemns Gaza and Iran Attacks, Calls for Global Reforms

Reported by Kokcha News Agency

Leaders of the BRICS group of developing nations gathered in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, condemning attacks on Gaza and Iran, advocating for reforms to global institutions, and presenting the bloc as a haven for multilateral diplomacy in a world marked by violent conflicts and trade wars.

BRICS as a Multilateral Leader
With forums like the G7 and G20 hampered by divisions and U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies, the expansion of BRICS has opened new avenues for diplomatic coordination. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in his opening remarks, likened BRICS to the Cold War-era Non-Aligned Movement, which sought to avoid alignment with either side of a polarized global order.

“BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula said. “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”

Expansion and Influence
The BRICS group, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This year’s summit marks the first time Indonesia has participated as a full member. BRICS nations now represent more than half of the world’s population and 40% of its economic output.

“The vacuum left by others ends up being filled almost instantly by the BRICS,” said a Brazilian diplomat who requested anonymity.

Challenges and Shared Goals
Despite its growing influence, questions remain about the shared goals of an increasingly heterogeneous BRICS group, which now includes regional rivals alongside major emerging economies. Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to send his premier in his place, while Russian President Vladimir Putin attended online due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

Joint Statement and Reforms
In a joint statement, BRICS leaders condemned attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities as “violations of international law.” They also expressed “grave concern” for the Palestinian people over Israeli attacks on Gaza and condemned a “terrorist attack” in India-administered Kashmir.

On trade, the group warned against rising tariffs, a veiled criticism of Trump’s policies, and voiced support for Ethiopia and Iran to join the World Trade Organization. The leaders also backed plans to pilot a BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative within the group’s New Development Bank to lower financing costs and boost investment in member states.

Climate Change and AI
Brazil, which will host the United Nations climate summit in November, used the BRICS summit to highlight developing nations’ commitment to tackling climate change. China and the UAE signaled plans to invest in a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility to fund global forest conservation.

In a separate statement, BRICS leaders called for protections against unauthorized use of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for fair payment mechanisms and safeguards against excessive data collection.