he 17th BRICS Summit marked a pivotal moment for the multipolar bloc, offering a blueprint for future global cooperation outside the Western–led liberal order. While BRICS has been criticized for its loose structure and its members’ divergent interests, the latest summit in Brazil shows a maturing organization gaining structure. Since its inception as an international organization, BRICS (named for early core members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has grappled with the question of internal cohesion. The absence of Putin and Xi Jinping from this summit further accelerated assertions of fragility. Yet the dense and detailed final joint declaration signed by attendees—shaped by Brazil and India—challenges that perception. The declaration, in its whole, reflects the group’s ambition to evolve into a comprehensive force in global affairs.
The declaration outlines commitments to enhance intra–BRICS cooperation, set clear strategic priorities on climate change, and oppose tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Furthermore, the declaration signals a commitment to equitable multilateralism—advocating for UN Security Council reform by including Brazil and India and addressing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Haiti, and Sudan. However, questions continue in some circles about BRICS’ ability to present a strong voice on controversial issues. While BRICS took a principled stand on global conflicts, there was no mention of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. While the bloc was categorical in its condemnation of the attacks on Iran and support for a Palestinian state, no mention was made of the U.S. or Israel. While some Western experts suggest this illustrates a lack of unified vision, observers say these statements have been delicately negotiated with an eye toward consensus. That would seem to indicate properly working mechanisms.
Latin America and Africa: Strategic Outreach
One of the clearest indicators of maturation coming from the summit is plans for intensified outreach to Latin America and Africa. Attendees joined the summit from around 20 countries, representing a majority of the world population. Among these were an unprecedented number of Latin American invitees: Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, together with BRICS associates Bolivia and Cuba as well as the host country, Brazil. With respect to Africa, besides being a focal point in the joint declaration, significant economies like Egypt, Ethiopia, and Nigeria participated in the summit. One outcome of this increased African presence? The African Solutions for African Problems initiative presented to the New Development Bank. While BRICS has actively reached out to the rest of the Global South since its beginning, there is increased interest from Latin American and African countries.
De–Dollarization by Stealth
The joint declaration avoids any direct mention of de-dollarization—likely a strategic omission to prevent triggering backlash from the White House. Yet it is clear that the bloc continues moving in that direction, with emphasis on promoting local currency for use in trade and investment within BRICS and partner countries. These policies reduce dependence on the dollar, increasing economic sovereignty—which is critical at a time when the Trump administration has threatened BRICS affiliates with an additional 10% in tariffs, an escalation to the 100% retaliatory tariffs presented earlier this year. The declaration also condemns protectionist trade measures and unilateral sanctions, signaling a shared frustration with the global economic system’s reliance on Western dominance and recent U.S. trade policy. By weaving political and financial autonomy, BRICS is laying the groundwork for a parallel economic ecosystem, under the auspices of the New Development Bank, that counterbalances the hegemony of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
While advocacy for local currency is not new, the current approach is more supported institutionally. The New Development Bank is drafting a framework to link loan disbursements directly to local currency transactions, which would support those countries’ central banks. Moreover, this year’s declaration is the first to explicitly frame de–dollarization in the context of trade protectionism, a clear pivot from technical preference to geopolitical posture
From Aspirations to Architecture
The 17th BRICS Summit may well be remembered as a turning point. This year’s summit produced tangible outcomes: the New Development Bank announced the official membership of Colombia and Uzbekistan. At the same time, the Bank fostered a plethora of green–energy projects in countries like India, such as the $75 million Serentica Captive Renewable Energy Project. The bloc also introduced a technical coordination mechanism on green energy transition, with India and Brazil spearheading regional pilot projects. These initiatives mark a departure from past summits, which were often critiqued for being heavy on rhetoric and light on deliverables.
With a clearer structure, expanding alliances, and a subtle yet firm push toward economic autonomy, the bloc is evolving from a political concept into a legitimate multipolar organization. It still faces considerable challenges—such as internal differences, geopolitical pressures, and implementation questions—but it is no longer adrift. The joint declaration is not just a list of commitments; it is a manifesto of intent that BRICS is not only here to stay but ready to lead. As the global order continues to fragment, BRICS’ emphasis on inclusivity, development, and multipolarity positions it as a compelling alternative for the Global South and a diplomatic actor that the traditional powers can no longer afford to overlook.
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BRICS gathering showcases growing bloc maturity
Image via Palácio do Planalto on Flickr.
July 8, 2025
As BRICS members gathered in Rio de Janeiro this week, there are signs that the bloc may be maturing even as the group looks to evolve into a comprehensive force in global affairs. Alberto Maresca argues statements and initiatives coming out of the summit indicate a turning point for BRICS.
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he 17th BRICS Summit marked a pivotal moment for the multipolar bloc, offering a blueprint for future global cooperation outside the Western–led liberal order. While BRICS has been criticized for its loose structure and its members’ divergent interests, the latest summit in Brazil shows a maturing organization gaining structure. Since its inception as an international organization, BRICS (named for early core members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has grappled with the question of internal cohesion. The absence of Putin and Xi Jinping from this summit further accelerated assertions of fragility. Yet the dense and detailed final joint declaration signed by attendees—shaped by Brazil and India—challenges that perception. The declaration, in its whole, reflects the group’s ambition to evolve into a comprehensive force in global affairs.
The declaration outlines commitments to enhance intra–BRICS cooperation, set clear strategic priorities on climate change, and oppose tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Furthermore, the declaration signals a commitment to equitable multilateralism—advocating for UN Security Council reform by including Brazil and India and addressing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Haiti, and Sudan. However, questions continue in some circles about BRICS’ ability to present a strong voice on controversial issues. While BRICS took a principled stand on global conflicts, there was no mention of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. While the bloc was categorical in its condemnation of the attacks on Iran and support for a Palestinian state, no mention was made of the U.S. or Israel. While some Western experts suggest this illustrates a lack of unified vision, observers say these statements have been delicately negotiated with an eye toward consensus. That would seem to indicate properly working mechanisms.
Latin America and Africa: Strategic Outreach
One of the clearest indicators of maturation coming from the summit is plans for intensified outreach to Latin America and Africa. Attendees joined the summit from around 20 countries, representing a majority of the world population. Among these were an unprecedented number of Latin American invitees: Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, together with BRICS associates Bolivia and Cuba as well as the host country, Brazil. With respect to Africa, besides being a focal point in the joint declaration, significant economies like Egypt, Ethiopia, and Nigeria participated in the summit. One outcome of this increased African presence? The African Solutions for African Problems initiative presented to the New Development Bank. While BRICS has actively reached out to the rest of the Global South since its beginning, there is increased interest from Latin American and African countries.
De–Dollarization by Stealth
The joint declaration avoids any direct mention of de-dollarization—likely a strategic omission to prevent triggering backlash from the White House. Yet it is clear that the bloc continues moving in that direction, with emphasis on promoting local currency for use in trade and investment within BRICS and partner countries. These policies reduce dependence on the dollar, increasing economic sovereignty—which is critical at a time when the Trump administration has threatened BRICS affiliates with an additional 10% in tariffs, an escalation to the 100% retaliatory tariffs presented earlier this year. The declaration also condemns protectionist trade measures and unilateral sanctions, signaling a shared frustration with the global economic system’s reliance on Western dominance and recent U.S. trade policy. By weaving political and financial autonomy, BRICS is laying the groundwork for a parallel economic ecosystem, under the auspices of the New Development Bank, that counterbalances the hegemony of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
While advocacy for local currency is not new, the current approach is more supported institutionally. The New Development Bank is drafting a framework to link loan disbursements directly to local currency transactions, which would support those countries’ central banks. Moreover, this year’s declaration is the first to explicitly frame de–dollarization in the context of trade protectionism, a clear pivot from technical preference to geopolitical posture
From Aspirations to Architecture
The 17th BRICS Summit may well be remembered as a turning point. This year’s summit produced tangible outcomes: the New Development Bank announced the official membership of Colombia and Uzbekistan. At the same time, the Bank fostered a plethora of green–energy projects in countries like India, such as the $75 million Serentica Captive Renewable Energy Project. The bloc also introduced a technical coordination mechanism on green energy transition, with India and Brazil spearheading regional pilot projects. These initiatives mark a departure from past summits, which were often critiqued for being heavy on rhetoric and light on deliverables.
With a clearer structure, expanding alliances, and a subtle yet firm push toward economic autonomy, the bloc is evolving from a political concept into a legitimate multipolar organization. It still faces considerable challenges—such as internal differences, geopolitical pressures, and implementation questions—but it is no longer adrift. The joint declaration is not just a list of commitments; it is a manifesto of intent that BRICS is not only here to stay but ready to lead. As the global order continues to fragment, BRICS’ emphasis on inclusivity, development, and multipolarity positions it as a compelling alternative for the Global South and a diplomatic actor that the traditional powers can no longer afford to overlook.
