TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Leaders and high-ranking officials from the BRICS alliance gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6 and 7, 2025, for the 17th annual High-Level Conference.
The two-day conference was hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Discussions centered around major global issues, including trade and investment, financial integration, artificial intelligence and technology, global health, climate change, and governance reform.
What Is BRICS?
Established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the BRICS bloc expanded in 2010 with the inclusion of South Africa. Over the years, the alliance has grown to include five more members: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia became the newest full member in early 2025.
The group now consists of 11 member states and recently introduced a new partnership category. Ten additional countries, including Nigeria, Vietnam, and Malaysia, have joined as “partner countries,” expanding the bloc’s reach and influence.
Together, BRICS nations account for roughly 44 percent of global GDP and more than half of the world’s population. The bloc positions itself as a champion of the Global South and seeks to promote a multipolar world order that balances the dominance of Western-led institutions.
Absent Leaders and Key Attendees
Two founding members of BRICS, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, were notably absent from this year’s summit. Putin, who faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, participated virtually. Russia’s delegation in Brazil was led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Xi Jinping’s absence marked the first time in 12 years that he did not attend a BRICS summit. Chinese authorities cited scheduling conflicts, and Premier Li Qiang represented Beijing in his place.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was also reportedly not in attendance.
Confirmed attendees included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is attending the summit for the first time since Indonesia’s accession to BRICS.
Main Agenda and Brazil’s Priorities
Under the theme "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance," this year’s summit aimed to deepen collaboration among developing nations. BRICS members are discussing ways to create alternative financial systems, reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar, and improve representation in international institutions.
Brazil has prioritized six key issues during its chairmanship: enhancing global health cooperation, promoting trade and financial integration, tackling climate change, advancing artificial intelligence and digital governance, reinforcing multilateral peace frameworks, and strengthening BRICS institutional structures.
The summit is expected to produce a joint communiqué outlining the group’s shared positions and next steps for deeper cooperation.
Held Amid Global Turmoil
The summit was held during a period of heightened global instability, marked by joint military strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The recent return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency has further added to the uncertainty, particularly due to his renewed tariff threats, which have raised concerns within the BRICS group.
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