Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Brazil opened the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro this week, gathering leaders from the world’s largest emerging economies. However, the absence of two of the bloc’s most powerful leaders—Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping—highlighted growing internal divisions within the group.
President Putin, facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, opted to participate virtually, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov representing Russia in person. Meanwhile, China’s President Xi Jinping, who has consistently attended BRICS summits since 2013, unexpectedly skipped the trip, citing scheduling conflicts. Premier Li Qiang attended in his place, reflecting what observers say may be growing domestic economic concerns and shifting diplomatic priorities in Beijing.
Focus on Common Ground
Despite the high-profile absences, the summit proceeded under Brazil’s chairmanship, with discussions centered on shared economic interests and global challenges. Brazil, aiming to position itself as a neutral mediator, steered the talks towards global health, climate change, and technology, while avoiding divisive geopolitical topics.
The leaders released a 31-page declaration calling for reforms of international institutions, such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. The statement emphasized the importance of a multipolar world order and condemned rising global trade tariffs, without directly mentioning the United States.
Expansion and Internal Challenges
The BRICS bloc, which expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia, now represents nearly half of the world’s population and about 40% of global GDP. However, this growth has also introduced new challenges, as the group struggles to reconcile the priorities of democracies like Brazil and South Africa with the authoritarian governments of China, Russia, and Iran.
Tensions were further reflected in the summit’s cautious language on sensitive issues such as the war in Ukraine, Middle East conflicts, and relations with Western nations. While the group expressed support for a two-state solution in Gaza, it avoided strong statements on Russia’s war in Ukraine or China’s tensions in the South China Sea.
Brazil’s Balancing Act
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva used the summit to advocate for a stronger Global South voice in international governance. He also sought to balance BRICS unity with Brazil’s ongoing economic ties to Western partners.
The summit’s focus on multilateral cooperation and sustainable development highlighted Brazil’s efforts to position itself as a global mediator, avoiding alignment in the deepening geopolitical divide between East and West.
Looking Ahead
Despite internal disagreements and key absences, the BRICS summit reaffirmed the group’s commitment to promoting a more inclusive global economic order. However, the lack of unified leadership at this year’s gathering raised fresh questions about the bloc’s future cohesion and influence on the world stage.