The BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting, held on April 29, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, marked a significant step forward in the bloc’s efforts to reshape global governance, promote multilateralism, and assert the rising influence of the Global South. With the participation of both founding and newly admitted member states, the meeting served as a platform to reaffirm the collective will of emerging economies to enhance their voice in the international system.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, hosting the summit, emphasized the need for BRICS to act in unison against the structural power asymmetries in the global order.[1] He described the BRICS+ expansion as a strategic move toward achieving more equitable representation and participation in global decision-making processes. Vieira further highlighted the development priorities of the Global South and the urgency of reforming the United Nations, signaling criticism of the sustainability of Western-centric global structures.
Representing China, Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi presented a vision that reflected Beijing’s long-standing position on international power dynamics. He asserted that BRICS has evolved beyond a cooperation platform into a strategic force that articulates the legitimate aspirations of developing countries.[2] Wang described BRICS as a “driving force behind historic changes in the global landscape,” framing it as a structural counterbalance to Western dominance. His comments echoed China’s broader foreign policy narrative, centered on multipolarity and inclusive global governance.
Wang also reiterated China’s commitment to multilateralism and called for reform in global institutions currently dominated by Western influence.[3] Stressing the need to protect the authority of a UN-centered international system, he argued that global governance should serve the interests of all humanity—not just a privileged few. Furthermore, Wang pledged China’s readiness to promote shared growth and revitalization among BRICS nations, highlighting Beijing’s intent to deepen economic and technological cooperation within the bloc. These ambitions align with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to expand global infrastructure and trade networks.
China’s focus on building financial alternatives to Western-dominated institutions—such as through the New Development Bank—demonstrates a strategic push for greater autonomy in the global economy. The broader vision implies not only enhanced South-South cooperation but also a reconfiguration of global power structures.
The joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting reflected the bloc’s growing interest in shaping the global normative order, despite ongoing internal divergences. Statements on regional crises—including the Israel-Palestine conflict, the war in Ukraine, civil unrest in Sudan, the humanitarian emergency in Haiti, and sanctions on Venezuela—illustrated both the diversity of perspectives within BRICS and a shared preference for diplomatic solutions centered on sovereignty and non-interference.
Notably, BRICS countries issued calls for ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and dialogue in Gaza—an approach that diverges from Western crisis management strategies and signals a more humanitarian-driven foreign policy. However, these statements largely remained aspirational, lacking concrete policy proposals a reflection of unresolved strategic differences within the bloc.
The Ukraine crisis continues to expose these divergences. India’s policy of neutrality and China’s closer alignment with Russia have constrained BRICS’ ability to articulate a unified security stance. This fragmentation presents challenges for deepening the bloc’s collective action in security and geopolitical arenas. Nonetheless, the continued emphasis on principles such as sovereignty, non-intervention, and development rights suggest a shared ambition to craft a counter-narrative to the Western-led international discourse.
In conclusion, the April 29 BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro reinforced the bloc’s long-term vision of becoming a more assertive player not only in economic matters but also in shaping the contours of global governance. Statements by Brazil and China underscored a call for a more just and independent international system. While internal differences particularly on security remain a barrier to deeper coordination, BRICS’ pursuit of a multipolar and equitable global order remains a defining feature of its collective agenda.
[1] “BRICS Foreign Ministers convey positions on reforming global governance, strengthening multilateralism, and promoting peace”, BRICS Brasil, https://brics.br/en/news/brics-foreign-ministers-convey-positions-on-reforming-global-governance-strengthening-multilateralism-and-promoting-peace, (Date Accession: 05.05.2025).
[2] “The Session for Ministers of Foreign Affairs / International Relations from BRICS Members and Partner Countries Held in Rio de Janeiro”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China, https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/wjbzhd/202505/t20250501_11614800.html, (Date Accession: 05.05.2025).
[3] Ibid.
