In mid-November, the 11th BRICS Summit was held in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. The leaders of the five countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—gathered under the theme 'Economic Growth for an Innovative Future,' engaging in in-depth discussions on BRICS cooperation and major international issues of shared concern. They unanimously agreed to strengthen the BRICS cooperation mechanism to achieve common development and prosperity. Marking a new starting point, the second 'golden decade' of BRICS cooperation is highly anticipated.
Since the first formal summit among the leaders of China, Brazil, Russia, and India in June 2009 in Russia, BRICS summits have spanned a full decade. Over these ten years, the BRICS countries have united their efforts like clenched fists, continuously consolidating the foundations of cooperation. Today, BRICS has become a primary engine driving global economic growth. Collectively, the five BRICS nations account for over 40% of the world’s total population; in 2018, their combined GDP represented approximately 23.52% of the global total, while their aggregate trade volume accounted for 16.28% of world trade. Their voting power at the World Bank and quota shares at the International Monetary Fund have increased, injecting strong momentum into reforms of the global economic governance system.
Today’s world is undergoing profound transformations unseen in a century: the international landscape is turbulent, economic globalization faces headwinds, protectionism and unilateralism are intensifying, and deficits in global governance, development, and trust continue to widen. Against this backdrop, uncertainties and instabilities in the global economy are markedly rising. As a cooperative mechanism representing the interests of a broad spectrum of emerging economies, BRICS has stood out over the past decade, further advancing South–South cooperation.
International affairs should be discussed and decided collectively—not dictated by one country or a handful of nations. Upholding multilateralism and building a multipolar world emerged as a broad consensus among BRICS leaders and stakeholders during the Brasília Summit. In the Brasília Declaration of the 11th BRICS Summit, the BRICS countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and pledged continued efforts to make the multilateral system more inclusive, democratic, and representative—enhancing the participation of emerging economies and developing countries in international decision-making.
The Brasília Summit placed special emphasis on strengthening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, as well as advancing collaboration in the digital economy. International observers note that the summit moved beyond traditional trade-and-investment cooperation, focusing instead on technological innovation—demonstrating BRICS nations’ dynamism and determination to seize emerging trends and drive transformative change.
Today, the BRICS mechanism is evolving toward greater maturity and comprehensiveness, with multidimensional cooperation deepening steadily within its framework. The BRICS Business Council is collaborating across infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, and agriculture, while actively promoting intra-BRICS trade and investment; regional offices of the New Development Bank (NDB) have commenced operations, facilitating the bank’s business expansion; and the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance has been established—helping to amplify women’s role as a key driver of economic growth…
Though geographically distant, the five BRICS nations are united by shared developmental aspirations. Looking ahead, guided by the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation—and taking the Brasília Summit as a new starting point—the second 'golden decade' of BRICS cooperation will undoubtedly shine brightly.
Last updated: 2026-03-08