Why Greater BRICS matters today
This article explores how the expansion of BRICS strengthens its global role and reshapes cooperation among emerging economies
The inclusion of Indonesia – a key representative of the Global South and the largest economy within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – adds fresh weight to the growing influence of BRICS.
BRICS countries are now home to approximately 3.3 billion people, representing over 40 per cent of the global population. Collectively, their economies account for an estimated 37.3 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) based on purchasing power parity, according to CGTN, a partner of TV BRICS.
Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the concept of “Greater BRICS” cooperation during last year’s leaders’ summit in Kazan, Russia, which marked a significant expansion of the group’s membership. He urged the association to become "a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform." His vision identified five key areas of focus: security, innovation, green development, global governance, and people-to-people exchanges.
As Chinese Premier Li Qiang prepares to attend this year’s summit in Rio de Janeiro, the international spotlight once again turns to the relevance of Greater BRICS cooperation in today’s complex geopolitical environment.
BRICS countries have been working to establish a common front within multilateral institutions, offering perspectives from emerging economies and advocating stronger support for issues such as climate change and artificial intelligence. In 2015, BRICS founded the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral development institution headquartered in Shanghai.
The bank has financed a wide range of initiatives – from expanding liquefied natural gas transport capacity in China to modernising freight rail infrastructure in South Africa. In its ten-year history, the NDB has approved loans for around 120 projects worth approximately US$40 billion.
Photo: iStock
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![Vladimir Putin]()
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia"We are developing mutual trade, which is growing; it increased by over 12 per cent last year. We have a joint commission working in this sphere. Our focus is on agriculture, shipbuilding, information technology and energy, including nuclear power. We have signed a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia. Jakarta is our reliable and old friend within ASEAN. We are working together at all international platforms, including the UN" -
![Vladimir Putin]()
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia"More and more Iranian students are choosing Russian education. We are very pleased about this. A great many future doctors are studying in Russia. In the 2025–2026 academic year, the number of Iranian students in Russia approached 10,000, with 802 of them studying at the expense of the Russian state budget" -
![Xi Jinping]()
Xi JinpingPresident of the People’s Republic of China"The foundation of our bilateral relations will only grow stronger, and we will confidently move forward to a better future. […] The striving of nations on our planet for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remains unchanged. The vital mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is to maintain stability and promote the development of our region" -
![Alisher Salomov]()
Alisher SalomovAdviser to the Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan"First and foremost, I would like to highlight the importance of this Central Asia–Russia initiative, because environmental problems know no borders, and only a shared understanding of these problems and the search for joint solutions can deliver positive results" -
![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification"
