Experts from the Global South have expressed optimism regarding the recent expansion of the BRICS bloc, viewing it as a significant step forward. Aravind Yelery, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, noted that an expanded BRICS means more voices for those who were unheard, more voices for those left out in the process of integration.
The remarks were made during a Global South meeting organised by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the China Media Group, which brought together experts from 40 think tanks to discuss global development amidst a time of significant change and uncertainty.
This gathering precedes the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in Russia from October 22 to 24. The bloc, originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded earlier this year to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia.
The upcoming summit will mark the first convening since this expansion, and many experts believe the growth of BRICS will amplify the voices of more nations on the global stage. The Global South, which represents about 40% of global GDP and comprises 85% of the world’s population, is increasingly recognised for its growing influence in international affairs.
Analysts see the BRICS expansion as an opportunity to provide a counterbalance to the traditionally Western-dominated global order, enhancing the representation of developing economies in global discussions.