BRICS Members and the BRICS Summit 2025: A New Era of Multipolar Global Cooperation
Introduction: What is BRICS?
BRICS is an acronym for a group of major emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—initially formed to promote peace, development, and South-South cooperation. Since its formalization in 2009, BRICS has grown to represent over 45% of the global population and nearly 31.5% of the world’s GDP (PPP).
In a bold shift toward multipolarity, the BRICS bloc expanded in 2024–2025, adding new members from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, including Indonesia, one of Southeast Asia’s most populous and dynamic economies. The 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6–7, 2025.
Historical Evolution of BRICS and Expansion
Origins
- 2001: British economist Jim O’Neill coined the term “BRIC” to describe the rising economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
- 2006: First informal meeting of BRIC foreign ministers.
- 2009: First formal BRIC summit held in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
- 2010: South Africa joined, forming BRICS.
Expansion in 2024–2025
At the 15th BRICS Summit (Johannesburg, 2023), leaders agreed on expansion. In 2024, BRICS welcomed:
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Although Argentina was invited, it formally withdrew in December 2023 due to domestic political changes. In early 2025, Indonesia joined BRICS, bringing the total to 11 official members.
Current BRICS Members (As of 2025)
| Country | Year Joined | Capital | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2009 | Brasília | Agricultural powerhouse, regional leader |
| Russia | 2009 | Moscow | Energy superpower, key military player |
| India | 2009 | New Delhi | Tech, services, and democratic influence |
| China | 2009 | Beijing | Global manufacturing and trade giant |
| South Africa | 2010 | Pretoria | African gateway and mining hub |
| Egypt | 2024 | Cairo | North African-Arabic geopolitical bridge |
| Ethiopia | 2024 | Addis Ababa | African Union HQ, fast-growing economy |
| Iran | 2024 | Tehran | Oil-rich, strategic location in Gulf |
| Saudi Arabia | 2024 | Riyadh | Leading oil exporter, G20 member |
| UAE | 2024 | Abu Dhabi | Finance, logistics, and tech innovation hub |
| Indonesia | 2025 | Jakarta | Southeast Asia’s largest economy and democracy |
Key Objectives of BRICS
The BRICS bloc seeks to:
- Promote multipolarity and balance against unipolar global governance
- Reform international institutions (IMF, World Bank, UN Security Council)
- Expand trade using local currencies, reduce reliance on the US dollar
- Build financial infrastructure like the New Development Bank (NDB)
- Encourage South-South cooperation and sustainable development
- Address global issues such as climate change, health, and technology equity
BRICS Summit 2025: Date, Host, Theme
📍 Host Nation: Brazil
📅 Dates: July 6–7, 2025
📌 Venue: Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro
🎯 Theme:
“Strengthening Multipolarity for Global Development and Security”
Key Agendas for BRICS Summit 2025
1. Welcoming Indonesia
Indonesia’s inclusion marks a major step in Asian integration into BRICS, balancing the influence between South Asia (India), East Asia (China), and Southeast Asia.
2. Economic & Trade Reform
- Boosting inter-BRICS trade in local currencies (INR, RMB, Ruble, etc.)
- Expanding BRICS Payment Systems and de-dollarization strategy
- Enhancing the lending capacity and reach of the New Development Bank
3. Global Governance Reform
- Advocating for UNSC seat expansion
- Opposing unilateral Western sanctions and blockades
- Enhancing BRICS’ role in G20 and other global forums
4. Technology and Innovation
- Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence, 5G, semiconductors
- Creating alternatives to Western tech dominance (e.g., Google, SWIFT)
5. Energy and Climate Security
- Unified climate and sustainability frameworks
- Long-term cooperation in renewables, hydrogen, clean water
- Green finance via the NDB
6. Security and Defense Dialogue
- Developing regional conflict resolutions through diplomacy
- Greater alignment on cyber security and counterterrorism
India’s Leadership in BRICS 2025
India plays a central role in shaping the philosophy and strategy of BRICS:
- Pushing for equitable digital governance
- Leading in pharmaceuticals, space tech, and IT services
- Strong voice for Global South unity and UNSC reform
- Upcoming initiatives for BRICS Youth, Startups, and Cultural Exchanges
Strategic Importance of Indonesia’s Entry
- Indonesia, with its 275+ million people, is the world’s fourth most populous nation and a rising G20 economy.
- Its inclusion adds critical balance and gives BRICS more leverage in ASEAN geopolitics and maritime trade (South China Sea).
- It bridges the Indo-Pacific with Africa and the Gulf via strategic trade routes.
How BRICS is Reshaping the World Order
| Western Model (G7) | BRICS Model |
|---|---|
| US/EU-led hegemony | Multipolar, decentralized leadership |
| Dollar-dominated finance | Local currency and NDB financing |
| Conditional aid | Respect for sovereignty |
| NATO-like security | Regional, cooperative security |
Key Institutions of BRICS
- New Development Bank (NDB) – Offers funding without political strings
- Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) – Emergency financial assistance pool
- BRICS Business Council – Private sector collaboration
- BRICS Think Tanks Council – Academic and policy dialogue
- BRICS Pay (Proposed) – Digital payment system for seamless trade
Challenges Ahead
Despite its rising influence, BRICS faces real-world constraints:
- Internal geopolitical tensions (e.g., India-China, Saudi-Iran)
- Lack of a binding treaty or charter
- Uneven economic development among members
- Need for a cohesive common currency and platform governance
Future of BRICS: What Lies Ahead?
The BRICS Summit 2025 laid the groundwork for:
- A BRICS digital currency prototype
- An expanded “BRICS+ Dialogue Forum” including observers like Bolivia, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria
- Joint scientific and space missions
- Establishing BRICS universities and media platforms to counter Western narratives
Conclusion
The BRICS Summit 2025 was not just another diplomatic gathering—it symbolized a new world order in the making. With 11 powerful, diverse, and dynamic countries, BRICS is set to reshape international politics, finance, and development.
The inclusion of Indonesia marked a major geographic and strategic win, solidifying BRICS as a truly Global South-led platform. As the group looks beyond economic cooperation toward cultural, technological, and strategic integration, the coming decade may well be defined as the BRICS Decade.
