BRICS Rio Summit: Despite expansion challenges, a united front emerges. Landmark agreements on UN Security Council & IMF reform signal a powerful Global South push for a multipolar world.
The West carved out a system that worked very well (for itself) for a long time. But now that emerging powers are no longer content playing junior partners, it makes perfect sense that BRICS is pushing for a recalibration.
What’s interesting isn’t just what BRICS is doing, but how. They’re navigating the system with long-game realism: compromise where needed (like the Africa seat question), unity where it counts (on IMF voting rights), and enough flexibility to grow without falling apart.
Sure, there’s a lot of symbolism in the language, but underneath it, there’s a cold understanding of how institutions protect power.
Will BRICS succeed in rewriting the rules? Too early to say. But they’ve definitely stopped playing by someone else’s script.
And I also read that Vietnam has officially joined as a Partner Nation which makes the bloc have 56% of World population and 44% of the global GDP which is saying something
And I especially Love how they are navigating this period by having long term vision with pragmatic flexible current moves that bodes well for the bloc and the world currently and most especially in the years to come
Have there been any in-depth discussions on the role of the NDB with particular reference to allowing it (the bank) to accept new members/clients regardless of whether they belong to BRICS or are partners. To my mind, this would be a master stroke, since it would obviate the danger of punitive measures Trump is intent on imposing on BRICS members now or in the future? And, if so, has there been any discussion of how the NDB might additionally be capitalised.
Good to focus on reforming IMF & UN Security Council as well as on-going trade payment systems. Making sure that all members are on a solid road to debt liberation must be paramount & it seems the group is clear on this also.
Vietnam just became a partner a couple days ago according to Geopolitical Economy Report. Its growing communist/capitalist system is a good model for the group to consider. A relatively small nation, ravaged by war 50 years ago, now a great example of shared prosperity. It's good for the people of these BRICS nations to get together & find out what their leadership actually results for the PEOPLE.
I am super-excited about the conference. Thank you to Brazil for your leadership this year. I have three thoughts:
1) I am very interested to see if the United Nations can exist without the Security Council. The largest countries shouldn’t have a veto on other countries, especially when the members of the Security Council seem to be diametrically opposed to each other. Perhaps, the United Nations is structurally obsolete and if it can’t reform itself, it should cease to exist. Probably not all countries will belong to BRICS so the UN will need to morph or something else should take its place. I don’t see any UN blue helmet peacekeepers keeping Israel out of Gaza…so is the UN relevant? Or are my expectations too high.
2) Although I disagree with one USA speaker in the video stating how the US President works for peace, I do think that it is the very aggressive and inconsistent leadership of the US President that is helping BRICS grow, either by protectionism, tarrifs, or military threats against countries like Greenland and Panama. The world actively chooses Not That. I am thankful that BRICS is out there providing a collaborative compare-and-contrast alternative that is positive and affirming.
Inquiry: I see many references to the Global South, but many countries are north of the equater. Does Global South mean non-western?
3) And there it is, the formal statement about de-dollarization. My opinion, if we can trade in local currencies but benchmark to gold that could be very successful. I think that all financial statements and financial information should be stated in kilograms of gold KgAU for global comparability. Gold allows for purchase-power-parity translations and has active market values.
The foreign ownership of mines could become impaired if the host country nationalizes their resources to balance resource utilization versus environmental degredation.
Multiple currencies /payments are fantastic. How are they wrapped into Anti-Money-Laundering AML structures, or is AML a western control? Is AML needed when countries sell weapons to other countries legally?
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Thank you to the BRICS channel for bringing me fresh perspectives and content that I can find no where else. As a citizen of the planet, I am happy to be on this journey with you!
I also wonder, in conjunction with the global BRICS phenomena, is if the real contestation of our time is that the world is a corporate asset versus a we-the-people-of-the-planet and the values that each platform holds.
It’s so stupid to give permanent seats at the security council to Brazil and India, and no one from Africa. Just give each region (S America, Africa and South Asia) a permanent seat to be assumed by countries from each region in rotation!
And at the risk of offending my Indian friends, frankly India has yet to show any leadership qualities beyond looking after its own interests. Its failure to speak up for Palestine and Iran is appalling. We don’t need another permanent security member that votes to prevent Palestine’s admission into the UN and failing to hold Israel to account for the genocide in Gaza. Please India, you need to show leadership that makes the world a better place for all, including Pakistan!
SOMETHING ELSE which also need radical attention: It is beyond time that Plantir gets sanctioned and forced to comply with strict operational guidelines. The same should happen to Starlink and to that disgusting artificial program that has gotten out of control. This free reign of use across these platforms has amounted to CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. Should they not be prosecuted?
The West carved out a system that worked very well (for itself) for a long time. But now that emerging powers are no longer content playing junior partners, it makes perfect sense that BRICS is pushing for a recalibration.
What’s interesting isn’t just what BRICS is doing, but how. They’re navigating the system with long-game realism: compromise where needed (like the Africa seat question), unity where it counts (on IMF voting rights), and enough flexibility to grow without falling apart.
Sure, there’s a lot of symbolism in the language, but underneath it, there’s a cold understanding of how institutions protect power.
Will BRICS succeed in rewriting the rules? Too early to say. But they’ve definitely stopped playing by someone else’s script.
I love your word ‘recallibration’. Thank you for your thoughts!
Right from the beginning I had great hopes and expectations about BRICS.
May they all become realities.
🙏🩷💛
And I also read that Vietnam has officially joined as a Partner Nation which makes the bloc have 56% of World population and 44% of the global GDP which is saying something
And I especially Love how they are navigating this period by having long term vision with pragmatic flexible current moves that bodes well for the bloc and the world currently and most especially in the years to come
Fantastic developments all round 👏🏽🥂
Have there been any in-depth discussions on the role of the NDB with particular reference to allowing it (the bank) to accept new members/clients regardless of whether they belong to BRICS or are partners. To my mind, this would be a master stroke, since it would obviate the danger of punitive measures Trump is intent on imposing on BRICS members now or in the future? And, if so, has there been any discussion of how the NDB might additionally be capitalised.
Do you think that member organizations should receive preferential terms
Good to focus on reforming IMF & UN Security Council as well as on-going trade payment systems. Making sure that all members are on a solid road to debt liberation must be paramount & it seems the group is clear on this also.
Vietnam just became a partner a couple days ago according to Geopolitical Economy Report. Its growing communist/capitalist system is a good model for the group to consider. A relatively small nation, ravaged by war 50 years ago, now a great example of shared prosperity. It's good for the people of these BRICS nations to get together & find out what their leadership actually results for the PEOPLE.
I am super-excited about the conference. Thank you to Brazil for your leadership this year. I have three thoughts:
1) I am very interested to see if the United Nations can exist without the Security Council. The largest countries shouldn’t have a veto on other countries, especially when the members of the Security Council seem to be diametrically opposed to each other. Perhaps, the United Nations is structurally obsolete and if it can’t reform itself, it should cease to exist. Probably not all countries will belong to BRICS so the UN will need to morph or something else should take its place. I don’t see any UN blue helmet peacekeepers keeping Israel out of Gaza…so is the UN relevant? Or are my expectations too high.
2) Although I disagree with one USA speaker in the video stating how the US President works for peace, I do think that it is the very aggressive and inconsistent leadership of the US President that is helping BRICS grow, either by protectionism, tarrifs, or military threats against countries like Greenland and Panama. The world actively chooses Not That. I am thankful that BRICS is out there providing a collaborative compare-and-contrast alternative that is positive and affirming.
Inquiry: I see many references to the Global South, but many countries are north of the equater. Does Global South mean non-western?
3) And there it is, the formal statement about de-dollarization. My opinion, if we can trade in local currencies but benchmark to gold that could be very successful. I think that all financial statements and financial information should be stated in kilograms of gold KgAU for global comparability. Gold allows for purchase-power-parity translations and has active market values.
The foreign ownership of mines could become impaired if the host country nationalizes their resources to balance resource utilization versus environmental degredation.
Multiple currencies /payments are fantastic. How are they wrapped into Anti-Money-Laundering AML structures, or is AML a western control? Is AML needed when countries sell weapons to other countries legally?
—————
Thank you to the BRICS channel for bringing me fresh perspectives and content that I can find no where else. As a citizen of the planet, I am happy to be on this journey with you!
I also wonder, in conjunction with the global BRICS phenomena, is if the real contestation of our time is that the world is a corporate asset versus a we-the-people-of-the-planet and the values that each platform holds.
Thank God for BRICS!
Nice summary.
It’s so stupid to give permanent seats at the security council to Brazil and India, and no one from Africa. Just give each region (S America, Africa and South Asia) a permanent seat to be assumed by countries from each region in rotation!
And at the risk of offending my Indian friends, frankly India has yet to show any leadership qualities beyond looking after its own interests. Its failure to speak up for Palestine and Iran is appalling. We don’t need another permanent security member that votes to prevent Palestine’s admission into the UN and failing to hold Israel to account for the genocide in Gaza. Please India, you need to show leadership that makes the world a better place for all, including Pakistan!
https://substack.com/@reeceashdown/note/c-132826965?r=5qrbeg&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
SOMETHING ELSE which also need radical attention: It is beyond time that Plantir gets sanctioned and forced to comply with strict operational guidelines. The same should happen to Starlink and to that disgusting artificial program that has gotten out of control. This free reign of use across these platforms has amounted to CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. Should they not be prosecuted?
Great piece. BRICS so far is on the right direction to create a system where all can benefit