BRICS Countries Reach Consensus on Common Declaration Prior to Rio Leaders' Meeting
The BRICS group, a gathering of major emerging economies, has reached a significant joint declaration at the recent summit held in Rio de Janeiro. The expanded group, which now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has agreed on key geopolitical issues such as Middle East conflicts, Gaza, and the Israel-Iran tensions.
The joint declaration expresses serious concern about military strikes in the region, particularly condemning attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities as violations of international law and the UN Charter. Israel’s and the US’s military strikes on Iran were denounced as violations of international law with unpredictable consequences for global peace and security. BRICS emphasizes the need for diplomacy and peaceful dialogue as the only sustainable path to stability.
The declaration highlights proposals for greater African representation in the UN Security Council. This reflects BRICS's broader goal to reform Western-led global institutions to better represent the Global South. The group has also decided to sharpen its tone on conflicts in the Middle East, going beyond the April note expressing "serious concern." The criticism includes warnings against "unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs."
However, the complexity of reaching common terms on contentious geopolitical issues has increased due to the expansion of the BRICS group. Negotiators for the leaders summit struggled to find shared language on the bombardment of Gaza, the Israel-Iran conflict, and Africa's representative in a proposed UN Security Council reform. Despite this, the group has managed to maintain a delicate balance of consensus amid diverse interests and geopolitical sensitivities.
BRICS continues its indirect criticism of US trade policies, particularly tariffs. While there is acknowledgment of Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS members if they undermine the US dollar, the group has failed to present a unified front. Instead, many BRICS countries prefer pragmatic bilateral engagements with the US rather than a collective confrontation. Brazil, as the bloc chair, has prioritized avoiding antagonizing the US to protect its own economy and minimize tariff risks.
Overall, the BRICS declaration underlines a shared commitment to international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts while advancing institutional reforms and opposing unilateral economic pressures, especially from the US. This joint declaration marks a significant, though cautious, step for BRICS amidst expanding membership and complex global challenges.
**Summary Table:**
| Issue | BRICS Position | |----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Middle East (Gaza, Israel-Iran) | Condemn military strikes, emphasize diplomacy & international law, oppose attacks on nuclear sites | | UN Security Council Reform | Advocate for increased African representation | | US Tariffs & Trade Policy | Indirect criticism of US tariffs, prefer pragmatic bilateral deals, Brazil seeks to avoid economic harm | | Geopolitical Unity | Emphasize consensus despite diverse positions, focus on Global South representation |
- The BRICS declaration reiterates its stance against military strikes in the Middle East, including violations of international law such as attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities in Iran and Israel, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and adherence to international law as the only sustainable path to stability.
- In addition to its focus on geopolitical issues, the BRICS group has highlighted the need for increased African representation in the United Nations Security Council as part of its broader goal to reform Western-led global institutions to better represent the Global South.
