BRICS+ in Rio: A Bold Voice for the Global South
This week, the world watched as Rio de Janeiro became the epicenter of multipolar ambition. The XVII BRICS Summit, the first held in Brazil since the bloc's historic expansion – closed with the Rio Declaration, a sweeping 90+ point manifesto aimed at reshaping the world's economic and political architecture. Aspirational and unapologetically assertive, the declaration stands as a powerful counterpoint to the outdated neoliberal script that has dominated global governance since Bretton Woods.
From the outset, BRICS+ made its intentions clear. This is no longer a loose coalition of 'emerging markets.' It is a political project rooted in sovereignty, fairness, and systemic reform, united by a shared determination to build a world that works for the majority, not just the privileged few. The summit's theme, Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance, echoed loudly throughout Rio that this summit was not about following rules made in Washington or Brussels, but about rewriting them.
With over half the world's population now represented across 11 full BRICS+ members and 11 additional partner countries, the group embodies the Global Majority. This summit reaffirmed the bloc's core message, that developing nations are not passive players in global affairs – they are protagonists.
The Rio Declaration called for a 'reformed and reinvigorated multilateral system,' challenging the deep structural imbalances of institutions like the UN Security Council, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank (WB). These bodies, relics of the post-WWII order, no longer reflect global realities. Brazil and India were explicitly endorsed for expanded roles at the UN. African nations were rightly upheld as essential actors in shaping the future, a gesture that was both symbolic and strategic, recognising the continent's rising economic, cultural, and political influence.
The Declaration was firm in its stance on sovereignty. BRICS+ leaders rejected the use of unilateral coercive measures, particularly economic sanctions not authorised by the UN Security Council. This wasn't just rhetorical, it was a statement of principle, aimed at ending the era of financial bullying disguised as diplomacy.
Iran's presence in BRICS+ and the group's support for its sovereignty is significant. For decades, Iran has been subject to punishing sanctions regimes that cripple civilian infrastructure and stifle development. BRICS+ is emerging as a safe haven for nations resisting economic domination and choosing development on their own terms.
This insistence on sovereignty extended to conflicts across the globe. The bloc denounced Israeli military strikes on Iran and voiced deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and reiterating support for a two-state solution, grounded in international law and UN resolutions. These are not fringe opinions. These are globally resonant positions finally given the weight they deserve.
In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats, including a proposed 10% levy on BRICS-aligned countries, the bloc took aim at 'indiscriminate tariff measures' that threaten global trade and economic stability. This was not merely a rebuke of U.S. policy but a rejection of a global economic model built on domination, conditionality, and coercion.
In its place, BRICS+ is proposing a new framework. Discussions on a BRICS Cross-Border Payment System, a BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Agency, and a common digital currency framework show the group's commitment to building the financial infrastructure of the future. This is economic sovereignty in action, reducing dependency on the dollar and expanding the tools available to the Global South to finance its own development.
The New Development Bank (NDB) continues to scale up its operations, providing an alternative to the austerity-driven lending models of the Bretton Woods institutions. With green finance, sustainable infrastructure, and digital transformation at the heart of its portfolio, the NDB is quietly becoming the financial backbone of the Global South's development agenda.
The Rio Declaration also took aim at the politics of technology. With artificial intelligence poised to define global power in the decades ahead, BRICS+ made a clear stand. AI governance must be inclusive, equitable, and open to the Global South. The idea that transformative technologies should only serve a handful of elite economies is being firmly rejected. Instead, the bloc is pushing for shared knowledge, ethical frameworks, and collaboration.
This extends to climate change, energy cooperation, digital infrastructure, and health sovereignty – areas where BRICS+ members are already exchanging knowledge, funding joint projects, and leading by example. Whether through the rollout of 5G to remote Brazilian schools, green hydrogen investments in South Africa, or AI partnerships between China and the UAE, BRICS+ is acting decisively in spaces where others have offered only platitudes.
The geographic and political diversity of the expanded BRICS+, now including Indonesia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, proves that the vision of a multipolar world is already in motion. The addition of 11 new partner countries, including Nigeria, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Cuba, only deepens the reach and legitimacy of this global project.
This is not a bloc defined by ideology. It is defined by common purpose, to rebalance the global order, to restore dignity to international cooperation, and to place development, not dominance, at the center of diplomacy.
In Rio de Janeiro, BRICS+ didn't just hold a summit, it laid the foundation for a new era of global leadership. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva rightly emphasised that 'it is up to emerging countries to defend the multilateral trade regime and reform the international financial architecture.'
With its growing influence, coherent vision, and deepening partnerships, BRICS+ is proving that it is not a reactive force but a constructive one. One that speaks for the silenced, acts for the excluded, and plans for the generations to come. In the past, the Global South was told to wait its turn. In Rio, it stood up, took the pen, and began writing the rules.
By Chloe Maluleke
Associate at the BRICS+ Consulting Group
Russian & Middle Eastern Specialist
** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE https://bricscg.com/
** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
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Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (3-L) speaks during a plenary session of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7, 2025. BRICS leaders at a summit on Sunday took aim at US President Donald Trump's "indiscriminate" import tariffs and recent Israeli-US strikes on Iran. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP) Image: AFP Understanding the BRICS Water Dilemma The global water crisis is no longer a distant threat but an unfolding reality. By 2025, an alarming 2.8 billion people, roughly 35% of the world's population, will face water scarcity. In the face of this escalating emergency, BRICS, a powerful bloc from the Global South, is emerging as a leader, not just in survival, but in charting a path forward. Water insecurity varies among BRICS nations, reflecting the bloc's diversity and scale. India, for instance, faces one of the most severe water stress crises globally. Despite housing 18% of the world's population, it possesses only 4% of its water resources. This disparity has led to high to extreme water stress for over 600 million Indians, with groundwater depletion in areas such as Punjab and Haryana reaching unsustainable levels. Despite being a global leader in infrastructure, China grapples with significant regional disparities. The northern part of the country, home to over 40% of its population and a large portion of its agricultural land, possesses only 20% of the nation's water resources. To address this imbalance, China has invested over $79 billion in the South-North Water Transfer Project, the world's largest water diversion scheme. Brazil presents a striking paradox: it holds 12% of the world's freshwater, yet major areas, such as São Paulo (Latin America's largest city), have endured recurring droughts. This situation is exacerbated by Amazon deforestation, which imperils the flying rivers in the atmosphere vital for rainfall in southern agricultural regions. South Africa is an arid country that has experienced severe droughts over the past decade. Notably, Cape Town's 2018 Day Zero water crisis garnered international attention. The Department of Water and Sanitation warns that the country faces a 17% water deficit by 2030 unless immediate action is taken. While Russia possesses substantial freshwater reserves, mitigating its vulnerability in terms of volume, persistent pollution and inadequate management, particularly within Siberia and the Volga River Basin, present considerable long-term challenges. The expansion of BRICS introduces greater diversity to the global water landscape. Ethiopia's Blue Nile projects, while causing geopolitical tension, reflect a sovereign effort to utilize water for development. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater, is highly susceptible to climate fluctuations and upstream damming. Iran grapples with both water scarcity and mismanagement, whereas the UAE, heavily dependent on desalination, is investing significantly in technological advancements. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Water and Sovereignty: A Political Standpoint BRICS's water strategy subtly challenges the West's long-standing influence over global environmental policies. For too long, organisations like the World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and various Northern think tanks have shaped global water security discussions. BRICS is advocating for a shift, promoting financing models that prioritise national interests and fostering scientific collaboration built on mutual benefit rather than exploitation. Over $2.5 billion has already been approved by the New Development Bank (NDB) for water-related infrastructure, encompassing projects from Indian irrigation systems to rural South African sanitation. The NDB is set to launch a Green Water Bond Framework in 2025, which will provide concessional loans to member states for water purification, storage, and climate-resilient infrastructure. What sets BRICS apart is its perspective on water. It is viewed not as a commodity for privatisation, but as a shared human right and ecological resource. This perspective emphasises solidarity over exploitation. Challenges Ahead, but a Clear Mandate The path forward, while challenging, presents an opportunity for BRICS to leverage its collective political will, scale, resources, and burgeoning sense of shared destiny. Obstacles such as slow coordination, uneven data, and simmering geopolitical tensions (for example, the Ethiopia-Egypt Nile dispute) persist, but these do not diminish the potential for progress. For the Global South to overcome the gravest environmental challenge of the 21st century, water sovereignty and sustainable management must be spearheaded by those with an intimate understanding of its implications. BRICS is not merely reacting to a crisis; it is actively redefining it. Through this process, BRICS has the potential to guide the world toward a water future that is more equitable, secure, and sustainable. In a world where future conflicts could be sparked by water scarcity, BRICS presents a path of cooperation rather than militarisation. This cooperative approach, in itself, sets a valuable precedent Written By: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Sesona Mdlokovana Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group African Specialist ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
