International Observation: The BRICS Summit Helps the "Global South" Deepen Unity and Cooperation BRICS | Countries | Unity and Cooperation
The 15th BRICS Leaders Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22nd to 24th. This summit focuses on the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Deepening Partnership, Promoting Mutual Growth, Achieving Sustainable Development, and Strengthening Inclusive Multilateralism", with a focus on discussing issues such as Africa's demands, expanding mechanisms, and promoting the diversification of the monetary system. It sings the main theme of unity and development, injecting positive and stable energy into the ever-changing world.
The BRICS Cooperation Mechanism, which began in 2006, has become an important international economic organization after 17 years of development. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa account for 26.46% of the world's total territory and 41.93% of the world's population. It is estimated that in 2021, the total economic output of the five countries accounted for approximately 25.24% of the world, and the total trade volume accounted for 17.9% of the world. The collective rise of emerging market countries and developing countries, represented by the BRICS countries, is fundamentally changing the world map.
At present, the unprecedented changes in a century have cast a shadow over the development of African countries, and the conditional aid policies of Western countries have limited assistance to the development of African countries. The host country of this summit, South Africa, attaches great importance to the concept of "BRICS+Africa" and has invited all African heads of state to attend. The BRICS Summit pays special attention to the interests and demands of African countries, fully demonstrating the clear background of the BRICS cooperation mechanism representing the interests of countries in the global South.
The expansion of BRICS membership is one of the key issues at this summit. 23 countries have officially applied to become formal members of the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism, and the summit ultimately decided to add six member countries: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The expansion of membership and strong unity have far exceeded external expectations. The six newly added member countries this time come from the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, reflecting the determination of the BRICS countries to unite and cooperate with the vast number of developing countries, further highlighting the representativeness and influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, which is in line with the common interests of emerging market countries and developing countries.
The active expansion of the BRICS countries is of great significance to developing countries, especially African countries. The expanded BRICS cooperation mechanism will unite more developing countries for common and equal development, strengthen South South cooperation, provide developing countries with larger platforms and more opportunities to express their own interests and demands, and fully care for Africa's special position as the most concentrated continent of developing countries. Under the guidance of the policy concept of genuine sincerity towards Africa and the correct concept of righteousness and benefit, China has taken practical actions to help African countries, practice true multilateralism, and work together with emerging and developing countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, demonstrating a responsible image as a major country.
Promoting the use of member countries' local currencies and reducing dependence on the US dollar have also become the main topics of the summit. The Johannesburg Declaration of the 15th BRICS Leaders Meeting emphasized the importance of encouraging BRICS countries and their trading partners to use their local currencies in international trade and financial transactions, and tasked relevant institutions with promoting BRICS currency cooperation, research on payment tools and platforms.
China advocates adhering to fairness and justice, improving global governance, maintaining the international system with the United Nations at its core, and promoting global governance reform towards a more just and reasonable direction. During this summit, China announced that it will establish the "China BRICS New Era Science and Technology Innovation Incubation Park", relying on the BRICS remote sensing satellite constellation cooperation mechanism, exploring the establishment of a "BRICS Global Remote Sensing Satellite Data and Application Cooperation Platform", and is willing to work with all parties to jointly build a "BRICS Sustainable Industry Exchange and Cooperation Mechanism" to promote the common development of member countries. More than 200 cooperation projects between China and countries around the world have blossomed and yielded results, and the mechanism of cooperation in multiple fields is constantly expanding; The China FAO South South Cooperation Trust Fund has been launched, providing food aid and sharing agricultural technology knowledge to many countries.
The successful convening of this summit is a new starting point for BRICS cooperation, which is conducive to strengthening international cooperation, building a new global political and economic order, and promoting common development and prosperity among countries around the world. The BRICS cooperation mechanism will further become a constructive force in promoting world economic growth, improving global governance, and promoting democratization of international relations, helping BRICS countries unite and cooperate with developing countries to jointly address global challenges such as energy crisis, food crisis, and climate change.
