BRICS diplomats have agreed on a common declaration to be tabled at this summer’s leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro, said three people familiar with the negotiations.
The breakthrough indicates the group can achieve a consensus even as it becomes more diverse internally and as tensions heighten among major world powers.
As reported by Reuters, this breakthrough comes after an earlier unsuccessful attempt at a joint statement at the April meeting of the group’s foreign ministers.
The deal is perceived to be a major step, especially as the alliance is increasing its size and stature.
BRICS added last year Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to its initial five original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Although the broader membership has enhanced BRICS’ clout in the Global South, it has made it increasingly difficult to arrive at consensus positions on global matters.
To manage divisions, BRICS members apparently agreed to endorse Brazil and India’s permanent seats on a reformed UN Security Council. But Africa’s representation still remains unresolved, with none of the member countries endorsed to represent the interests of the continent.
Other sources also claimed the group is set to come out with a stronger approach to Middle East issues, firming up its initial show of concern to more specific words in the final communique.
On economic issues, the group is likely to remain critical of protectionist trade policies, especially U.S. tariffs imposed during the reign of President Donald Trump. In April, BRICS ministers criticised “unjustified unilateral protectionist actions”, something likely to be said again at this week’s summit.
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