LESSON 6: BRICS ● BRICS aimed to strengthen ties between

the Global South (developing countries)

WHAT IS BRICS? and promote collaboration on common
BRICS is an acronym that stands for Brazil, Russia, development challenges, such as poverty
India, China, and South Africa. These five alleviation, infrastructure development,
countries are considered major emerging economies and social welfare.
with significant influence on regional and global
affairs. The BRICS grouping was originally To Address Global Issues Collaboratively:
established in 2006 as BRIC (without South Africa).
The first official meeting took place in ● The countries recognized the need for a
Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa was coordinated approach to address global
invited to join in 2010, making it BRICS instead of challenges like climate change, terrorism,
BRIC. economic inequality, and security
concerns. By working together, BRICS
could help promote a more stable, just, and
WHY WAS BRICS CREATED? equitable global order.
To Promote Economic Growth and
Development:

● The BRICS countries sought to enhance HOW DOES BRICS WORK?

their economic cooperation to support BRICS works through cooperation and
growth in their own economies and the coordination among its member countries on
broader developing world. They aimed to various political, economic, and social issues. Here's
reduce reliance on developed economies, how it functions:
create more balanced global economic
growth, and promote sustainable BRICS CORE STRUCTURE
development.
1. BRICS Summit
To Challenge the Dominance of Western- ● Role: The primary decision-making body
Dominated Institutions: of BRICS, where key policy directions are
determined.
● BRICS was created as a response to the ● Composition: Heads of State or
dominance of Western countries in Government of Brazil, Russia, India,
international financial institutions, like the China, and South Africa.
World Bank and International Monetary ● Meetings: Annual summits hosted by
Fund (IMF), which were seen as not member countries on a rotational basis.
adequately representing the interests of ● Function:
emerging economies. The group pushed for ○ Discuss global and regional
reforms in these global institutions to give issues.
greater voice and influence to developing ○ Set strategic goals and priorities
countries. for BRICS cooperation.
○ Issue joint declarations and
To Enhance Political Influence: communiqués.
● Sub-Councils: None directly, but working
● The BRICS countries wanted to establish a groups and ministerial meetings support
platform to discuss and address common the Summit.
political, economic, and security
challenges. The group aimed to strengthen
their collective political influence in global
affairs and reduce the dominance of the 2. BRICS Ministers' Meetings
U.S. and other Western powers. ● Role: Sector-specific policy discussions
and cooperation enhancement.
To Foster South-South Cooperation:

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● Composition: Ministers of key areas such
as Foreign Affairs, Finance, Health,
Agriculture, etc. 5. New Development Bank (NDB)
● Meetings: Periodic, often aligned with ● Role: Provide financial support for
specific sectoral needs. infrastructure and sustainable development
● Function: projects in BRICS and other emerging
○ Formulate and implement sectoral economies.
initiatives. ● Composition: Board of Governors, Board
○ Facilitate cooperation in areas like of Directors, and President (rotational from
trade, health, and finance. BRICS countries).
● Sub-Councils: Working groups may be ● Meetings: Annual meetings of the Board of
formed under each ministerial sector to Governors; regular meetings of the Board
focus on specific projects or issues. of Directors.
● Function:
○ Fund projects that support
economic growth and
3. BRICS Business Council development.
● Role: Promote and strengthen business, ○ Facilitate financial cooperation
trade, and investment ties among member among BRICS nations.
countries. ● Sub-Councils:
● Composition: Leading business leaders ○ Project Implementation Teams.
from each BRICS nation. ○ Regional offices to decentralize
● Meetings: Annually, usually alongside the operations.
BRICS Summit.
● Function:
○ Provide a platform for business
dialogue. 6. Contingent Reserve Arrangement
○ Recommend policy measures to (CRA)
foster business cooperation. ● Role: Provide financial stability and
● Sub-Councils: support to BRICS countries facing balance
○ Sector-specific working groups of payments difficulties.
(e.g., infrastructure, ● Composition: Contributions from all five
manufacturing, financial member countries.
services). ● Meetings: Periodic as needed; governed by
the central banks of BRICS nations.
● Function:
○ Offer liquidity support.
4. BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC) ○ Serve as a financial safety net.
● Role: Facilitate academic and policy ● Sub-Councils: Managed by central bank
research on issues relevant to BRICS. representatives; no formal sub-councils.
● Composition: Representatives from
prominent think tanks and research
institutions of member countries.
● Meetings: Annually or as required. HOW DOES BRICS RESPOND TO
● Function: CHALLENGES?
○ Conduct research to support
BRICS policy-making. 1. Economic Challenges
○ Provide analytical insights and
policy recommendations. ● New Development Bank (NDB): Provides
● Sub-Councils: Research groups focused on financial assistance for infrastructure and
thematic areas like economics, geopolitics, sustainable development projects, helping
and sustainable development. member countries address economic
downturns and promote growth.

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 ● Contingent Reserve Arrangement digitalization to enhance industrial
(CRA): Offers financial stability by competitiveness and resilience.
providing liquidity support to member ● Digital Economy Working Group:
nations facing balance of payments crises, Facilitates collaboration on digital
mitigating the impact of economic shocks. infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital
● Trade and Investment Initiatives: inclusivity.
Promotes trade liberalization, investment,
and economic cooperation to boost 6. Social and Humanitarian Challenges
economic resilience and growth among
member states. ● Poverty Alleviation and Social
Development: BRICS initiatives target
2. Global Health Crises poverty reduction, education, and
healthcare improvements through joint
● Joint Health Initiatives: BRICS programs and knowledge sharing.
collaborates on health initiatives, such as ● Cultural Exchange and People-to-
the sharing of medical resources, joint People Connectivity: Enhances mutual
research on vaccines, and coordinated understanding and solidarity through
responses to pandemics (e.g., COVID-19). cultural, academic, and youth exchange
● BRICS Vaccine R&D Center: Focuses on programs.
the development and distribution of
vaccines to combat global health 7. Institutional and Governance Challenges
emergencies.
● Strengthening Multilateralism: BRICS
3. Geopolitical and Security Challenges advocates for reforming global governance
institutions to make them more inclusive,
● BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meetings: representative, and effective in addressing
Regular discussions and coordination on contemporary global challenges.
geopolitical issues, promoting peace, ● Policy Coordination and Dialogue:
security, and stability in member regions. Regular meetings and summits facilitate
● Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Joint dialogue and coordination on key policy
initiatives and frameworks for combating issues, ensuring a united approach to global
terrorism and enhancing security, challenges.
including intelligence sharing and capacity
building.
KEY GOALS OF BRICS
4. Environmental and Climate Challenges
1. Economic Cooperation and
● Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Development
BRICS nations align their development ● Promote Sustainable Economic Growth:
agendas with SDGs, focusing on climate Foster economic development through
change mitigation, renewable energy, and mutual cooperation, trade, and investment
sustainable practices. among member countries.
● BRICS Environment Ministers' ● Enhance Financial Cooperation:
Meetings: Collaborative efforts to address Strengthen financial systems and provide
environmental challenges, promote green support through the New Development
technology, and enhance environmental Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve
governance. Arrangement (CRA) for sustainable
infrastructure and development projects.
5. Technological and Digital Transformation

● BRICS Partnership on New Industrial

Revolution (PartNIR): Focuses on 2. Strengthening Multilateralism
cooperation in technology, innovation, and

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 ● Reform Global Governance: Advocate 6. Peace and Security
for reforms in international institutions like ● Promote Global Peace and Security:
the United Nations, International Monetary Engage in dialogue and cooperation to
Fund (IMF), and World Bank to reflect the address international security concerns,
growing influence of emerging economies. including terrorism, cyber-security, and
● Promote a Multipolar World Order: regional conflicts.
Support a more balanced and fair ● Enhance Diplomatic Coordination:
international order that respects the Strengthen collaboration in international
sovereignty and equality of all nations. forums to uphold peace, security, and
stability.

3. Social and Human Development

● Poverty Alleviation and Social Inclusion: 7. Trade and Investment Facilitation
Address social challenges by promoting ● Boost Intra-BRICS Trade and
inclusive growth, reducing poverty, and Investment: Enhance trade relations and
improving healthcare, education, and investment opportunities among member
social welfare. countries, reducing barriers and fostering
● Enhance People-to-People Connectivity: economic integration.
Strengthen cultural, academic, and youth ● Develop Common Economic Strategies:
exchanges to foster mutual understanding Formulate strategies to counter global
and solidarity among member nations. economic uncertainties and improve the
competitiveness of BRICS economies.

4. Technological and Industrial Cooperation

● Promote Innovation and Technology MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF BRICS
Sharing: Collaborate on research,
development, and innovation in key 1. Establishment of the New Development
sectors, including digital technology, space Bank (NDB)
exploration, and new industrial ● Purpose: To provide financial support for
revolutions. infrastructure and sustainable development
● Facilitate Industrial Development: projects in BRICS and other emerging
Support industrialization and the economies.
modernization of economies through the ● Impact: The NDB has approved numerous
BRICS Partnership on New Industrial projects in areas like renewable energy,
Revolution (PartNIR). transportation, and urban development,
promoting sustainable economic growth.
2. Creation of the Contingent Reserve
Arrangement (CRA)
5. Addressing Global Challenges ● Purpose: To offer financial stability by
● Climate Change and Environmental providing liquidity support to member
Sustainability: Work together on countries facing balance of payments
environmental protection, sustainable crises.
development, and combating climate ● Impact: Enhances economic resilience and
change by promoting green technologies acts as a financial safety net for member
and practices. states during economic downturns.
● Global Health Cooperation: Strengthen
joint efforts in health care, particularly in
response to pandemics and public health
emergencies. 3. Enhanced Intra-BRICS Trade and Investment
● Achievements: Significant progress in
boosting trade and investment among

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 BRICS countries, including efforts to 8. BRICS Partnership on New Industrial
reduce trade barriers and promote Revolution (PartNIR)
economic integration.
● Impact: Strengthened economic ties and ● Achievements: Collaboration in areas of
increased trade volumes among member technology, digital transformation, and
nations. innovation, facilitating industrial
modernization and competitiveness.
4. Promotion of Multilateralism and Global ● Impact: Strengthened technological
Governance Reform capabilities and promoted industrial
growth in BRICS countries.
● Achievements: BRICS has consistently
advocated for reforms in international 9. Cultural and Academic Exchanges
institutions like the United Nations, IMF,
and World Bank to make them more ● Achievements: Increased cultural,
representative and inclusive. academic, and people-to-people
● Impact: Strengthened the voice of exchanges, fostering mutual understanding
emerging economies in global decision- and strengthening cultural ties.
making processes. ● Impact: Enhanced cultural cooperation
and promoted a sense of community among
5. Joint Responses to Global Health Crises BRICS nations.

● Achievements: Collaborative efforts 10. Strengthening Peace and Security

during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Cooperation
the sharing of medical supplies, joint
research on vaccines, and coordinated ● Achievements: Joint efforts in counter-
public health responses. terrorism, cyber-security, and
● Impact: Improved health outcomes and peacekeeping, contributing to regional and
enhanced preparedness for future health global security.
emergencies. ● Impact: Improved collective security and
stability, with a focus on addressing
6. Climate Change and Environmental Initiatives common security challenges.

● Achievements: BRICS countries have

collaborated on environmental protection,
sustainable development, and climate CHALLENGES THAT BRICS FACE
change mitigation, including joint research
and development in green technologies. 1. Economic Disparities and Divergences
● Impact: Promoted global environmental
sustainability and contributed to meeting ● Challenge: Differences in economic size,
international climate goals. growth rates, and development levels
among BRICS members (e.g., China's
7. BRICS Business Council and Economic large economy versus South Africa's
Cooperation smaller one).
● Impact: These disparities can lead to
● Achievements: Establishment of the differing priorities and hinder the ability to
BRICS Business Council to promote implement uniform economic policies or
business, trade, and investment strategies.
cooperation, with sector-specific working
groups addressing key economic sectors. 2. Geopolitical Tensions
● Impact: Enhanced business opportunities
and fostered economic collaboration ● Challenge: Geopolitical tensions among
among member countries. member states (e.g., India-China border

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 disputes) and differing foreign policy infrastructure limit intra-BRICS trade and
agendas. investment.
● Impact: Such tensions can affect trust, ● Impact: These barriers hinder the
cooperation, and the ability to present a realization of full economic cooperation
united front on international issues. and integration among member countries.

3. Limited Institutional Capacity 8. Technological and Innovation Gaps

● Challenge: BRICS lacks strong ● Challenge: Variations in technological

institutional structures compared to other development and innovation capacity
international organizations. among BRICS members.
● Impact: This limits its ability to effectively ● Impact: This can impede collaborative
implement decisions, monitor progress, efforts in technology, digital
and enforce compliance among member transformation, and industrial
states. modernization.

4. Diverse Political Systems and Ideologies 9. Environmental and Climate Challenges

● Challenge: The member countries have ● Challenge: Differing priorities and

different political systems, ranging from capacities in addressing climate change and
democracies to more centralized environmental sustainability.
governance models. ● Impact: These differences can affect the
● Impact: These differences can lead to implementation of joint environmental
divergent views on governance, human initiatives and commitments to global
rights, and international norms, climate agreements.
complicating consensus-building.
10. Cultural and Linguistic Differences
5. Global Economic Challenges
● Challenge: Diverse languages, cultures,
● Challenge: Vulnerability to global and historical backgrounds among BRICS
economic fluctuations, trade tensions, and countries.
external shocks (e.g., global financial ● Impact: These differences can create
crises, COVID-19 pandemic). communication barriers and complicate
● Impact: Such challenges can strain the efforts to foster deeper cultural and people-
economies of BRICS countries and test the to-people ties.
effectiveness of their collective financial
mechanisms like the NDB and CRA. 11. Internal Political Instabilities

6. Limited Influence in Global Institutions ● Challenge: Political instability and

domestic issues within member countries
● Challenge: Despite advocating for (e.g., changes in leadership, internal
reforms, BRICS still faces limited conflicts).
influence in global institutions like the ● Impact: Domestic challenges can divert
IMF, World Bank, and UN Security attention and resources away from BRICS
Council. cooperation, affecting the group's overall
● Impact: This restricts BRICS' ability to effectiveness.
effectively push for a more equitable global
governance system.

7. Intra-BRICS Trade Barriers BRICS’ ROLE IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS

● Challenge: Tariff and non-tariff barriers, 1. Advocating Multilateralism: Promotes

regulatory differences, and inadequate reform in global institutions like the UN, IMF,

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 and World Bank for fairer representation of 5. Health and Pandemic Preparedness:
emerging economies. Building stronger health systems and joint
2. Economic Cooperation: Facilitates trade, responses to global health crises.
investment, and financial stability through the 6. Peace and Security: Deepening
New Development Bank (NDB) and collaboration on global security issues,
Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). including counter-terrorism and cyber-
3. Global Security: Collaborates on counter- security.
terrorism, cyber-security, and peacekeeping to 7. Cultural and Academic Exchanges:
enhance global stability. Enhancing people-to-people connectivity
4. Health Crises Response: Coordinates public and mutual understanding through
health efforts, including pandemic response education and cultural initiatives.
and vaccine research. 8. Expanding Influence: Increasing
5. Climate Action: Works on climate change engagement with other emerging markets
mitigation and promotes sustainable and developing nations to strengthen
development. South-South cooperation.
6. South-South Cooperation: Strengthens
partnerships among developing countries for
collective growth.
7. Influencing Economic Policies: Shapes WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO
global economic policies to support inclusive JOIN BRICS?
growth and fair trade practices.
8. Cultural and Educational Exchange: Fosters BRICS does not have formal, publicly specified
mutual understanding through cultural and qualifications for new members. However, some
academic exchanges. general criteria and considerations that may
9. Innovation and Technology: Collaborates on influence the inclusion of new members include:
digital transformation and technological
advancements. 1. Economic Size and Potential: Countries
10. Dialogue Platform: Provides a forum for with significant economic size, growth
discussing international challenges and potential, and influence in global markets
building consensus. are likely considered.
2. Regional Influence: Nations with strong
regional influence or strategic importance
may be more appealing for inclusion to
enhance BRICS' global reach.
3. Commitment to Multilateralism: A
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR BRICS shared commitment to the principles of
multilateralism, global governance reform,
1. Enhanced Economic Integration: and cooperation in international affairs is
Strengthening trade, investment, and important.
financial cooperation among member 4. Alignment with BRICS Objectives:
states. Prospective members should align with
2. Global Governance Reform: Continuing BRICS' goals of promoting economic
to push for reforms in international cooperation, sustainable development, and
institutions to reflect the role of emerging a balanced international order.
economies. 5. Geopolitical Considerations:
3. Technological Collaboration: Expanding Geopolitical stability, strategic
cooperation in innovation, digital partnerships, and the potential to contribute
transformation, and the Fourth Industrial positively to BRICS' collective goals play
Revolution. a role in membership considerations.
4. Sustainable Development: Increasing 6. Developmental and Economic Diversity:
focus on climate action, renewable energy, Adding countries that complement the
and sustainable infrastructure. economic and developmental profiles of

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 existing members can enhance the group's ● Strengthening economic integration and
overall effectiveness. cooperation.
● Expanding influence and collaboration on
Though there is no formal process, expansion global issues like health, security, and
discussions and the inclusion of new members are sustainable development.
typically guided by consensus among existing
BRICS members. BRICS operates without a formal charter, relying on
consensus and joint declarations to guide its
initiatives and objectives.

SUMMARY OF BRICS

BRICS is an acronym for a group of five major

emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China,
and South Africa. Established in 2006, BRICS aims
to enhance economic cooperation, promote
sustainable development, and reform global
governance to reflect the rising influence of
emerging markets. The group focuses on key areas
such as trade, investment, financial stability, global
security, health, and technology.

Key Institutions and Mechanisms:

● New Development Bank (NDB): Provides

financial support for infrastructure and
sustainable development projects.
● Contingent Reserve Arrangement
(CRA): Offers liquidity support during
balance of payments crises.

Major Achievements:

● Establishment of the NDB and CRA.

● Enhanced intra-BRICS trade and
investment.
● Advocacy for global governance reform.
● Joint responses to global health crises.
● Collaborative initiatives on climate change
and technology.

Challenges:

● Economic disparities among members.

● Geopolitical tensions and differing
political systems.
● Limited institutional capacity and
influence in global institutions.
● Barriers to intra-BRICS trade and
technological gaps.

Future Directions:

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