BRICS Summit in Brazil 2025

Leaders of the expanding BRICS group are convening in Rio de Janeiro for a two-day summit, focusing on trade, global governance, and cooperation among developing economies. The meeting comes amid growing concern over rising tariffs.

The BRICS bloc—originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. It also recognizes ten strategic partner countries, including Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. Together, BRICS account for nearly half of the world’s population and a quarter of global economic output.

A key topic was the continued push to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar in trade settlements. Member states emphasized the importance of strengthening alternative payment systems and increasing the use of local currencies in bilateral and multilateral trade.

Investment in the Global South remained a strong theme. The bloc reaffirmed its commitment to financing development projects in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America through BRICS-led initiatives. Leaders discussed mechanisms to scale up investment in transportation, digital infrastructure, and green energy, with the NDB playing a central role in project evaluation and funding.

The summit also addressed digital economy cooperation, including data governance, fintech collaboration, and digital infrastructure development. China and India emphasized the potential of digital public infrastructure to support financial inclusion. On the green economy, the group discussed joint research on low-carbon technologies and agreed to consider coordinated funding for climate-resilient infrastructure.

A joint declaration called for reform of global financial institutions and greater representation of emerging markets in the international economic order. Member states also pledged to increase intra-BRICS trade and enhance economic resilience in the face of global uncertainties.