Ringing in 2024: BRICS Leaders Herald New Year Amid Global Turmoil
As 2023 drew to a close, BRICS leaders hailed achievements but acknowledged struggles. Their speeches blended nationalist confidence with calls for global cooperation.
As the world rang in the new year of 2024, leaders of the BRICS nations delivered speeches reflecting on 2023's challenges and laying out their visions for the future. Their tones ranged from defiant to optimistic, unified by faith in their countries' resilience.
In his New Year's address, Russian President Vladimir Putin projected defiance amid "headwinds." Without specifics, Putin stated Russia "accomplished much" in 2023 while defending its national interests and values.
Though not mentioning economic struggles directly, Putin vowed to "pursue development" in 2024. He celebrated Russia's long history and civilization as sources of strength. Putin emphasized continuity, cautioning that "the new" should build upon rather than abolish "the old."
Putin acknowledged ordinary citizens' struggles, from entrepreneurs to soldiers, but ultimately credited the "multinational people of Russia" for prevailing "over all difficulties or challenges." He vowed to "both pursue development and safeguard security" in 2024, celebrating Russia's "time-honored history" and civilization as sources of "confidence and strength." While seeking "progress," Putin stressed continuity by "establishing the new before abolishing the old."
Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech contained similar themes, touting China's pandemic recovery and economic momentum. He enthused over new Chinese-made products like mobile phones and hailed youth-oriented events like the Chengdu Universiade. Xi acclaimed China's culture and history, tracing its origins back through archeological discoveries to invoke national pride.
Notably, Xi spotlighted China's global integration, referencing the Belt and Road Initiative and other diplomatic engagements. He avowed that "only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver" despite evolving landscapes. Xi looked ahead to the 2024 anniversary of China's founding, pledging to "speed up building the new development paradigm" and "boost education, advance science and technology and cultivate talents."
Regarding Taiwan, Xi emphasized that China would surely be reunified and that all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should share the glory of national rejuvenation. His speech indicates that resolving the Taiwan issue remains a top priority for China in 2024. Xi's remarks suggest he will continue to pursue reunification under the "one country, two systems" framework, underscoring Taiwan as a core interest for China.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered a more somber reflection on a "difficult year for many South Africans" beset by unemployment, poverty, and infrastructure challenges. However, Ramaphosa found "cause for hope and optimism" in South Africa's pandemic economic recovery and new laws expanding healthcare access.
Ramaphosa touted South Africa's renewable energy investments and highlighted government interventions to spur job creation. He movingly memorialized Desmond Tutu while lauding the Springboks' rugby victory as an energizing unifying force. The president rallied South Africans to "look to the future with hope," vowing to "move forward" and "never lose our courage."
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, wished everyone a splendid 2024 by entrusting his message to a sobering post on X: “Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all.”
Among the BRICS' newest members, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Egypt conveyed more formulaic well-wishes. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan exchanged pleasantries on "the occasion of the New Year" with other Arab leaders. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed offered "New Year greetings to the global community," wishing "international friends and partners" well in 2024. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also extended "greetings on the occasion of the beginning of 2024."
Collectively, the major emerging economies' messages blended nationalism with globalism. They attested to domestic hardships while asserting national resilience and heritage. The speeches hailed achievements in technology and culture that burnished their international standing. Yet they also acknowledged global integration, interdependence, and a desire for stability.
If the tones varied from fervent to restrained, an undercurrent of confidence persisted amid turmoil. These dynamic nations believe their best days still lie ahead in 2024 and beyond.