BRICS Summit: Sharing common ambitions, advancing development, building political trust and reforming global institutions

The latest BRICS Summit stands as one of the most consequential diplomatic events of the year, highlighting the growing role of emerging powers in influencing the future trajectory of international relations. At a time marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and increasing skepticism towards globalization, the summit reaffirmed the collective ambition of BRICS to advance development, build political trust among diverse actors, and promote reforms in global governance institutions. More importantly, it reinforced the notion that the Global South is no longer a peripheral actor in world affairs but an increasingly influential force in defining the priorities and norms of the international system.

The significance of BRICS extends beyond its economic weight. As a grouping that now represents a substantial share of the world's population, economic output, and natural resources, BRICS has evolved into a platform through which emerging and developing countries can articulate common concerns and coordinate positions on critical international issues. In doing so, the bloc seeks not only to increase its influence in global decision-making but also to contribute to a more representative and balanced international order.

One of the summit's most notable achievements was its emphasis on political trust-building. In an era characterized by strategic rivalries, growing protectionism, and declining confidence in multilateral institutions, BRICS continues to position itself as a facilitator of dialogue among states with varying political systems, economic models, and regional interests. The ability of the grouping to accommodate diversity while maintaining a shared commitment to cooperation is increasingly viewed as one of its principal strengths. More importantly, political trust within BRICS has acquired a transformative dimension. Unlike traditional alliances built upon ideological convergence or security commitments, BRICS demonstrates that meaningful cooperation can emerge from diversity rather than uniformity.

The transformative nature of political trust also lies in its capacity to shift the focus of international relations from competition to collaboration. By creating spaces for sustained dialogue, BRICS enables member states to identify common interests in areas such as development, financial governance, technological cooperation, climate action, and global security. This process contributes to the gradual construction of shared norms and expectations, strengthening the resilience of cooperation even during periods of geopolitical tension.

The summit's focus on the Global South was equally significant. Leaders emphasized the need to amplify the voices of developing countries in international affairs and to ensure that global governance structures reflect contemporary realities rather than the distribution of power that emerged after the Second World War. This message resonates strongly across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and parts of the Middle East, where demands for greater representation in international institutions have intensified. The expansion of BRICS itself reflects this broader aspiration for a more inclusive international system in which developing countries can participate more meaningfully in shaping global rules and norms.

Development remained at the core of the summit's agenda. Member states renewed their commitment to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, industrialization, infrastructure development, technological cooperation, and human capital formation. The discussions reflected a shared understanding that development is not merely an economic objective but also a prerequisite for political stability, social cohesion, and long-term prosperity. By prioritizing connectivity, investment, innovation, and capacity-building, BRICS seeks to strengthen development pathways across the Global South while reducing structural inequalities that continue to characterize the global economy.

Perhaps the most strategic dimension of the summit concerned the reform of global institutions. The final declaration of the summit strongly reaffirmed the central role of the United Nations as the cornerstone of the multilateral system. However, it also stressed that the effectiveness and legitimacy of the UN require meaningful reforms, including within the Security Council. For BRICS members, a reformed Security Council should better reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century and provide greater representation for developing countries.

Among the most closely watched issues was the continuing discussion on economic resilience. Although BRICS leaders did not advocate replacing the US dollar as the dominant global reserve currency, they reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the use of local currencies in trade, investment, and financial transactions. This approach reflects a pragmatic effort to strengthen economic resilience rather than a revolutionary attempt to overturn the existing monetary system. The rationale is rooted in the desire to reduce transaction costs, limit exposure to exchange-rate volatility, and enhance the financial autonomy of developing economies.

Another notable aspect of the summit was its emphasis on institution-building within BRICS itself. As membership expands and policy coordination deepens, BRICS increasingly faces the challenge of transforming political declarations into effective governance mechanisms. The preparations for China's chairmanship in 2027 were therefore presented as an opportunity to consolidate existing initiatives, strengthen institutional capacity, and enhance cooperation across economic, technological, financial, and diplomatic domains.

Ultimately, the summit demonstrated that BRICS is evolving beyond its original identity as a coalition of emerging economies. It is increasingly positioning itself as a political platform capable of fostering dialogue, facilitating trust, promoting development, and advocating reforms to the global governance architecture. While significant challenges remain, including internal diversity and differing national priorities, the summit highlighted the group's determination to shape a more inclusive, representative, and resilient international order. More than a diplomatic gathering, the 18th BRICS Summit reaffirmed a powerful idea: development, trust-building, and institutional reform are no longer peripheral demands of the Global South, but central imperatives for constructing a stable, representative, and sustainable international order.

The author is Associate Professor of University of Macau, China