BRICS leaders defend multilateralism and condemn U.S. policies at Rio summit

BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro have condemned attacks on Iran, Gaza and Kashmir, while presenting the expanded bloc as a rising force for multilateralism in a world dominated by U.S.-led policies.

At the summit held at Rio's Museum of Modern Art on Sunday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva invoked the legacy of the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, describing BRICS as its successor amid what he called renewed threats to global autonomy and diplomacy.

“BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula told assembled leaders. “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”

The group, which now includes 11 member states after adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE last year, collectively represents over half the global population and 40% of world economic output. This is the first BRICS summit to include Indonesia as a full member.

While Chinese President Xi Jinping was absent—sending Premier Li Qiang in his place—and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended online due to an ICC arrest warrant, leaders from India, South Africa, and host nation Brazil were present. Over 30 additional nations have expressed interest in joining the bloc.

In a joint statement released Sunday, BRICS leaders condemned attacks on Iranian nuclear and civilian infrastructure and expressed “grave concern” over Israel’s operations in Gaza. They also denounced a “terrorist attack” in Indian-administered Kashmir.

On trade, the bloc issued a pointed warning that the “indiscriminate rising in tariffs” threatens global commerce—a veiled critique of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff-driven trade strategy. The statement also backed Ethiopia and Iran’s accession to the World Trade Organization and urged a revival of its dispute resolution mechanisms.

As BRICS positions itself as a voice for the Global South, Lula renewed calls to reform international bodies like the United Nations Security Council and the IMF to reflect “the new multipolar reality of the 21st century”.

Despite internal differences, BRICS is advancing new initiatives, including a Multilateral Guarantees mechanism via the New Development Bank aimed at lowering investment risk and boosting development finance.

On climate, Brazil has used the summit to amplify the Global South’s role in conservation. Officials said China and the UAE signalled support for Brazil’s proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a fund targeting forest protection globally, in talks with Finance Minister Fernando Haddad.

The summit's tone and declarations suggest BRICS is broadening its global influence as a counterweight to traditional Western-dominated institutions, even as questions remain over the cohesion of its increasingly diverse membership.

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