Background on BRICS Leaders
The BRICS summit, an annual gathering of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is set to take place in Rio de Janeiro from Sunday to Monday. This year, the summit will be notable for the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi will miss the event for the first time since assuming power in 2012, while Putin may participate virtually due to an international arrest warrant related to alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
Summit Participants and Key Issues
The summit will host nearly half of the world’s population and around 40% of global GDP, representing a significant geopolitical force. Other notable absentees include Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The summit will also address trade tensions, as US President Donald Trump challenges the diplomacy of emerging powers through tariffs.
“Cautious Tone”
Experts predict a cautious tone during the summit, with reluctance to directly criticize the United States in the final declaration. China, for instance, prefers a contained stance on Middle East conflicts and may not wish to escalate tensions with the US, given ongoing trade negotiations. The BRICS’ response to the recent Israeli-Iranian conflict was vague, reflecting internal divisions among member states.
BRICS Objectives
Despite the absence of key leaders and geopolitical tensions, Brazil aims to forge a unified stance on critical issues. These include combating climate change, advancing AI governance, and reforming multilateral institutions. The BRICS group has expanded since its 2009 founding, now including Arabia Saudita, Egipto, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Etiopía, Indonesia, and Irán.
Security Measures
More than 20,000 security personnel will be deployed to safeguard Rio de Janeiro during the summit, implementing measures such as closing the urban Santos Dumont airport and using fighter jets to patrol the skies. These precautions reflect both the reduced risk due to absentee leaders and the ongoing geopolitical significance of the event.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the BRICS? The BRICS is a group of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
- Why is this summit significant? The BRICS represent nearly half of the world’s population and around 40% of global GDP, making their collective stance on international issues influential.
- Who is absent from the summit? Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend, while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi are also absent due to regional tensions.
- What are the key issues at the summit? The BRICS will discuss trade tensions, climate change, AI governance, and multilateral institution reform.
- How will security be managed during the summit? Over 20,000 security personnel will be deployed, with measures including closing the Santos Dumont airport and patrolling the skies with fighter jets.
