South calls for unity among developing nations amid escalating international disputes (Kazakhstan)
A Fresh Perspective:
ASTANA - Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister, Akan Rakhmetullin, reinforced the urgency of unified actions and solidarity among Global South nations against escalating geopolitical strife and economic instability, during a recent gathering of the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A snap from the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting. Photo courtesy: gov.kz
As mentioned by Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry's press service, Rakhmetullin confirmed Kazakhstan's dedication to fostering a more sustainable world, and underlined the importance of the climate agenda, regional harmony in Central Asia's water management, digital evolution, and energy sectors.
Notably, Rakhmetullin highlighted forthcoming events, such as the Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan under the United Nations in 2026, and expressed gratitude for the support in creating the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan. Furthermore, he expressed Kazakhstan's ambitions to fortify economic relations with fellow BRICS members and execute joint initiatives.
The meeting adopted Brazil's 2025 BRICS chairmanship topic: Strengthening Cooperation among the World's South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.
In addition to this official gathering, Rakhmetullin attended a roundtable with the Brazilian business community and Kazakhstan's Honorary Consuls, held bilateral discussions with senior officials from Brazil, Bolivia, Belarus, and Iran, and interacted with the management of the SEBRI analytical center and the Getúlio Vargas Foundation.
Besides BRICS main members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—the partnership currently consists of Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. Additionally, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, including Kazakhstan, hold the status of BRICS partner countries since January 2021.
As we delve into BRICS's primary focus and objectives, partnership members strive to reinforce cooperation among Global South nations, prioritizing an equitable and egalitarian global order. Sustainable development and economic development are essential aspects of the BRICS agenda, aiming to reform international organizations such as the World Bank and IMF. Climate change is also a significant concern, with the partnership placing emphasis on its mitigation, backed by the current BRICS chairmanship's focus on key areas like infrastructure development and digital economy. Regional collaboration is key, to address common challenges and boost South-South cooperation.
BRICS Plus initiative aims to amplify the voice of the Global South by including more nations, focusing on improving trade, security, and technology cooperation, thus enhancing regional ties but potentially complicating consensus-building among numerous diverse members. The spotlight, as ever, remains on the synchronized actions and solidarity of these nations.
- Kazakhstan, as a BRICS partner country since January 2021, is dedicated to fostering stability among Global South nations, focusing on sustainable development, economic development, and climate change mitigation.
- In 2026, Kazakhstan will host the Regional Climate Summit under the United Nations, an event emphasized by Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister, Akan Rakhmetullin.
- Rakhmetullin also expressed gratitude for the support in creating the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
- Pursuing sustainable governance, the 2025 BRICS chairmanship, led by Brazil, emphasizes the importance of cooperation among the World's South for more inclusive and sustainable governance.
- Partnership countries like Kazakhstan, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, in addition to the main BRICS member nations, work together to prioritize an equitable global order, emphasizing sustainable and economic development, climate change mitigation, and regional collaboration.
