Why BRICS matters in global governance

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BRICS countries should strive to be the vanguard in advancing the reform of global governance, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged at the plenary session "Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance" of the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday.

"China stands ready to join hands with other BRICS countries to promote global governance in a more just, equitable, efficient and orderly direction, working collectively to build a better world," Li said at the session.

As the international landscape undergoes profound changes, the BRICS countries are increasingly recognized as a driving force for reforming global governance and promoting a multipolar world.

Calling on the member states to lead efforts in reforming global governance structures, Li emphasized that the world needs a system that reflects the interests and aspirations of all countries, especially those in the Global South. This vision aligns with the broader global trend away from unilateralism toward multilateral cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.

Since its founding, BRICS aspires to speak for Global South nations. Consistently advocating for a multipolar world order that rejects unilateralism, their united stance is strengthening calls for reforms in traditional West-led institutions and pushing for a more equitable global system.

Against rising protectionist sentiments, BRICS nations represent over half of the world's population and contribute 40 percent of its economic output, as Reuters has reported. According to the International Monetary Fund, BRICS' share of global GDP (measured by purchasing power parity) is projected to surpass 40.7 percent in 2025, surpassing the G7's 28.4 percent. This shift reflects the growing economic dynamism of the Global South and strengthens BRICS' collective negotiating power in international forums.

In addition, this year's summit marked a milestone with the expansion of BRICS membership, welcoming Indonesia as a full member and engaging ten additional countries as partners. With the BRICS family already spanning across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, the enlargement enhances the bloc's demographic and economic weight on the global arena.

"If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to help bring it up to date," Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in his remarks to the BRICS summit.

"As the leading force of the Global South, BRICS countries should uphold independence and self-reliance, demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and play a greater role in building consensus and synergies," Li urged the meeting, calling on the group to seek fundamental solutions based on the merits of each issue.

From China's perspective, BRICS is a platform through which it advances its vision of a more just and inclusive global order. Li's call for "broad consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits" encapsulates China's approach to international cooperation. China's active promotion of BRICS expansion and its leadership in innovation-driven initiatives demonstrate its determination to deepen ties with fellow members and enhance the group's global impact.

Against the backdrop of growing turbulence and the resurgence of unilateralism, leaders at the summit urged BRICS nations to strengthen their unity and cooperation, uphold the goals and principles outlined in the UN Charter, actively support multilateralism, and play a more significant role in advancing shared development, enhancing global governance, and promoting enduring peace and prosperity worldwide.

Li's speech reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening BRICS as a key driver of global governance reform. As a representative voice of the Global South, BRICS embodies the aspirations for a fairer, more inclusive international system. Moving forward, China and its BRICS partners are poised to work closely together to promote peace, development, and shared prosperity, contributing to a more balanced and harmonious world.

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