Posted BY: | NwoReport
Leaders of the BRICS nations convened to shape the future trajectory of this coalition of developing countries, yet the meeting was overshadowed by underlying divisions, particularly in relation to the group’s possible expansion. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions triggered by the Ukraine conflict and escalating rivalry between Beijing and Washington, China and Russia have aimed to fortify the BRICS alliance, including members South Africa, Brazil, and India. Their collective objective is to strengthen BRICS as a counterbalance to the Western-dominated global institutional framework.
During the August 22-24 summit in Johannesburg, China’s President Xi Jinping highlighted the pivotal juncture humanity faces due to evolving global circumstances and emphasized the pivotal role the choices made by these nations would play in shaping the course of history. The expansion has been a long-standing aspiration for China, with the belief that broader membership could enhance the bloc’s influence, given its already impressive composition comprising approximately 40% of the world’s population and 25% of global GDP.
Trending: Exploring Pfizer-BioNTech’s Innovative Nucleoside-Modified Messenger RNA (modRNA) Technology for COVID-19 Vaccines: Unveiling Insights from Pfizer Documents
The event was notably absent Xi, raising questions as to his non-attendance while counterparts like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present. Xi’s statement was delivered by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, with no immediate explanation for Xi’s absence. This divergence in participation underscores the challenges faced in aligning the bloc’s objectives.
Disagreements within the alliance were highlighted further by remarks from Brazil’s Lula, who suggested that BRICS did not aim to be an opposition force to the G7, G20, or the United States, but rather sought self-organization. The summit’s agenda also encompassed discussions about advancing the use of local currencies for trade and financial transactions, with the aim of reducing dependency on the U.S. dollar. Russia’s President Putin affirmed the ongoing shift towards de-dollarization in his pre-recorded statement.
While Brazil has proposed a common BRICS currency as a counter to dollar dependence, South African organizers indicated that such discussions would not be part of the agenda. The complexities of consensus decision-making were apparent, given the historical border disputes between India and China and the differing views on crucial global matters. Despite these challenges, the BRICS nations pledged to champion the interests of the developing world and provide an alternative to the prevailing order dominated by affluent Western nations. Their commitment has attracted the interest of over 40 countries, with nearly two dozen formally seeking admission to the group. Although the prospect of expansion remains uncertain, BRICS’ aspiration to reshape global dynamics is gaining momentum.
