BRICS: New development model defended in Rio

Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, the 11 countries of the BRICS bloc reaffirmed their determination to refound global economic multilateralism, at a time of heightened trade tensions. In the firing line: Donald Trump’s threat of new US tariffs.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva calls on the “global South” to move beyond its role as a supplier of raw materials. He calls for “access to technologies” and “full integration into global value chains”. An ambition shared by the member countries, in the face of what is seen as unfair globalization.

Health and climate issues were also at the heart of the summit. Lula denounced the “glaring inequalities in access to healthcare” and called for fairer global policies, in the run-up to COP30, which Brazil will host in November.

This 17th edition, marked by Xi Jinping’s physical absence and Vladimir Putin’s videoconference, also saw the first participation of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, as Nigeria became an official BRICS partner in 2025.

The backdrop to this event was a clear desire to offer an alternative to the Western economic system, by consolidating South-South cooperation, and placing  emerging economies at the center of the global game.

source: Les Echos