BRICS Prepares for Landmark Summit Amid Global Tensions

As emerging market giants convene to reshape the global order, underlying divisions and ambitions challenge their unity at the upcoming Kazan summit.

Leaders of BRICS, representing emerging market nations that comprise roughly half of the global population, are slated to convene this Tuesday for a transformative summit—their first since the group's notable expansion. Comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS broadened its membership last year to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. This year's three-day gathering will take place in Kazan, located in southwest Russia.

The summit is significant as BRICS positions itself as an alternative to Western influence in international relations. Leaders, including the widely scrutinized President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, will share the stage. However, challenges remain, as the bloc grapples with disparate national interests and a cohesive vision for their collaboration.

Key considerations for participants include the foundational principles of BRICS, the aspirations of the Global East, the dynamics pertaining to the Global South, and, notably, China’s strategic objectives.

This summit could signal a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of global power, as BRICS members navigate their differences while seeking to formulate a united front against Western dominance.