Scholars from multiple countries: More and more countries want to join the BRICS, which is a strong response to Western hegemony! Mechanism | BRICS | Countries
The 15th meeting of BRICS leaders will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22nd to 24th, with the expansion of the BRICS mechanism and "de dollarization" being the two most focused areas. The Global Times recently invited David Monyay, director of the Africa China Research Center at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, Sergio Rodriguez, an international research expert in Venezuela, Hassan Rajb, a professor of China at the Suez Canal University in Egypt, Balu Demisi, a policy researcher at the University of Subaba in Ethiopia, and Sherik Korrumbayev, editor in chief of the Kazakhstani newspaper, to conduct in-depth interviews on topics such as "BRICS+". Experts believe that the increasing number of countries interested in joining the BRICS is a strong response to Western hegemony.
"Motivating the rise of 'global southern' forces"
Global Times: According to recent news released by South African officials, more than 20 countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Reuters estimates that over 40 countries are eager to join the BRICS mechanism. Why are more and more countries officially proposing or interested in joining the BRICS?
David Moniard: The reason why so many countries are interested in joining the BRICS is, in my opinion, that these countries are not satisfied with the current global order. Especially for some emerging powers, the current international order has not been supplemented and improved since 1945, still dominated by the United States and Western countries, and has not reflected the current changes in the global economy and population, as well as the emerging new problems. Developing countries that wish to join the BRICS are eager to enhance their voice and autonomy in deciding how to manage their own economies and address global issues such as climate change. They seek to gain greater influence within developing countries and advocate for the establishment of a fair international order.
Expansion is crucial for the BRICS countries. I believe that expanding the membership of the BRICS countries will inspire the rise of "global southern" forces, especially as some countries have made significant contributions to global economic development. For them, it is crucial to unite and respond to severe challenges after becoming a BRICS country.
Hassan Rajb: As is well known, in 2006, the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China held their first meeting, marking the beginning of cooperation among the BRICS countries. In 2011, South Africa officially joined the BRICS countries, and the English name of the BRICS countries was designated as the abbreviation BRICS composed of the first letters of the English names of the five countries. Since its establishment, the BRICS countries have successfully achieved many goals and their contribution to global economic growth has continued to increase. Currently, the BRICS countries are striving to usher in a new stage of cooperation between developing countries and emerging economies, particularly in jointly addressing economic recession and protectionist measures - which have become ghosts that pose a serious threat to free trade and global economic growth.
Balu Demisi: In June of this year, Ethiopia officially applied to join the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism. As the spokesperson for the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "As founding members of global institutions such as the African Union and the United Nations, as well as a country committed to safeguarding its own interests, we must join organizations such as the BRICS." I believe that the establishment of the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism is to revise the global governance system, promote multilateralism, and speak on behalf of emerging and developing countries.
Rodriguez: In my opinion, a new international system is emerging. Unlike the world currently dominated by American hegemony, this system is built on the basis of fairness, win-win cooperation among countries, and the absence of threats, blackmail, and pressure in international relations, which is also a concept endorsed by Venezuela.
Korrumbayev: From Kazakhstan's perspective, there are several key reasons why some countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS countries. Firstly, the economic potential of the BRICS countries is enormous, and joining them can provide them with opportunities to enter emerging markets and gain more investment; Secondly, joining the BRICS countries can help enrich the diversity of trading partners and reduce economic dependence; Finally, participating in the construction of a new world order is also related to the important strategic interests of our own country, and we can cooperate more with other countries on global security and sustainable development issues.
"Joining the BRICS countries will be mutually beneficial and mutually beneficial."
Global Times: What development opportunities do you think the newly joined countries will bring to themselves and the BRICS cooperation mechanism in the future?
Balu Demisi: The BRICS cooperation mechanism is the most important platform for developing countries to unite and cooperate, and the most core mechanism representing southern countries, expressing the earnest expectations of the vast number of developing countries. Ethiopia has a population of over 100 million, making it the second most populous country in Africa. It is also the headquarters of the African Union and one of the countries with faster economic growth. I believe that having new countries join the BRICS is the right choice in line with the interests of developing countries and an important step in promoting the transformation of the global governance system. For Ethiopia, the first step is to establish closer cooperation with the BRICS countries, obtain funding and loans from emerging economies, and promote economic diversification and innovative development; Secondly, we can expand international trade through cross-border business operations and cooperate with BRICS countries in areas such as data sharing, e-commerce, and digital trade to enhance international competitiveness and innovation capabilities.
Korrumbayev: The Central Asian region is of great strategic significance, and the accession of relevant countries to the BRICS will be mutually beneficial. It can not only consolidate its own position, but also strengthen the influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism on the world stage.
Rodriguez: For Venezuela, which is subject to multiple sanctions and blockades from Europe and America, it is necessary to expand and strengthen its international relations and conduct international trade under more favorable conditions. The country has enormous potential to become a secure supplier of many energy and other strategic minerals. With economic transformation, Venezuela's agriculture will develop in a few years and is expected to become a food exporting country, all of which can serve the BRICS countries and increase mutually beneficial trade.
Hassan Rajab: Egypt is a hub country in Africa and the Middle East, especially with the existence of the Suez Canal, which is of great significance for global trade. Joining the BRICS countries would allow countries like Egypt to participate more in global economic reforms and promote a more just development of the world. Egypt seeks to revitalize its economy and implement its 2030 sustainable development vision by deepening cooperation with the BRICS countries. Egypt has strong friendly cooperation and many common interests with the BRICS countries. Egypt has signed comprehensive strategic partnership agreements with China and Russia, and its relationship with India has also been elevated to a strategic partnership this year. Egypt is also a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and joining the BRICS can deepen cooperation between Arab and African countries.
"In redrawing the economic balance map"
Global Times: Some Western countries are very concerned about the expansion of the BRICS mechanism and the issue of "de dollarization". What do you think about this?
David Monyay: The Ukrainian crisis has raised concerns and dissatisfaction about the weaponization of global public goods such as the US dollar and the Global Interbank Financial Communications Association. We have witnessed how the Western world has imposed sanctions on some countries, which has sparked internal reflection among developing countries. They recognize that for economic reasons, they should join the BRICS cooperation mechanism to seek cooperation. In the past, developing countries could only use the US dollar for international settlement, but now there are more and more choices in the "currency basket", which provides new opportunities for strengthening domestic trade and infrastructure construction.
At present, according to calculations from some international institutions, the share of BRICS countries in global gross domestic product has exceeded that of G7 countries, and the latter's economic development momentum is not as strong as before. I believe that we are witnessing the decline of the Western world in the economic field, which is not happening overnight, but a long-term downward trend that is also a concern for the United States and other Western countries. But I believe that Western countries should not view the BRICS countries as a threat. Both sides can complement each other and have the opportunity to work together to achieve global peace and development.
Rodriguez: The world no longer operates according to the logic of the Cold War era. Every country knows what is most in its own interests and which countries are its friends and partners. Western and American authorities may try to obstruct the alternative solutions brought by the BRICS countries, but for the BRICS countries, this is a worthwhile path to travel, although it may face challenges and various risks.
Hassan Rajb: I have noticed that the BRICS countries are discussing a new currency system, which will alleviate the pressure of the US dollar hegemony on the world economy. The BRICS countries are redrawing their economic balance map. In March of this year, Egypt officially announced its accession to the New Development Bank of the BRICS countries, which is a new platform for Egypt to strengthen cooperation with the BRICS countries. The purpose of the New Development Bank aligns with Egypt's development vision of achieving green and sustainable economic growth.
Balu Demisi: The BRICS cooperation mechanism achieves common development in the economic, cultural, political, and social fields through mutual assistance and cooperation. Ethiopia's decision to join the BRICS is also driven by the pursuit of fairness, equality, mutual benefit, and multilateralism, which is a strong response to Western hegemony. In my opinion, the application of new African countries to join the BRICS reflects Africa's strong resistance and independent choice towards Western influence, and will further strengthen cooperation and unity among African countries.
Korrumbayev: From an economic competition perspective, the BRICS countries have gathered some large and rapidly growing economies that can compete with Western countries in the global market. From the perspective of geopolitical dynamics, the growth of BRICS countries may alter the geopolitical landscape, weaken the dominant position of Western countries, and bring about changes in power balance. From a trade policy perspective, expanding the membership of BRICS countries helps to form more independent trade relations between member states and other partners, thereby reducing dependence on the Western economic system. These may bring pressure to Western companies, but it is worth noting that the main goal of BRICS countries is to promote their own development and cooperation in world affairs.
"The role of China cannot be overemphasized."
Global Times: How do you see China's role in the BRICS countries?
David Moniard: As a major member of the BRICS countries, China has a huge economic size and has achieved a series of breakthroughs in technological innovation and infrastructure. The "the Belt and Road" initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China are gaining more and more support from countries in the "Global South". These initiatives are in line with the idea of reforming the international governance system in developing countries, which is to establish a lasting peace while ensuring security and development.
Rodriguez: China's role is crucial. Undoubtedly, as long as we work together for the benefit of the majority, a better world is possible.
Balu Demisi: China plays a crucial role in the BRICS countries. Especially China's proposal of the "BRICS+" cooperation model aims to benefit more developing countries. This cooperation model has received a positive response, which helps to enhance the representativeness and influence of the BRICS countries.
Korrumbayev: China is the largest economy among the BRICS countries, and its market, high-level investment, and industrial foundation endow the organization with enormous economic weight and influence. China is actively financing infrastructure projects in BRICS countries through the "the Belt and Road" initiative. Overall, China's role in the BRICS cannot be overemphasized. This is crucial for ensuring economic stability, strengthening a multipolar world, and supporting internal cooperation among BRICS countries.
