The World’s Hotspots: Strategies for Resolution

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, a recent gathering of diplomatic heavyweights in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, emphasized the importance of collective action among its member states. With a united front, they aim to tackle global flashpoints and mitigate the risks associated with international crises.

Administrator

4 May, 2025

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Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, highlighted the critical role and global importance of BRICS in addressing pressing issues such as armed conflict, political instability, and the erosion of multilateralism. Established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS has now expanded with the addition of 11 new member states, further strengthening its influence.

According to Vieira, BRICS occupies a pivotal position in promoting peace and stability, representing nearly half of the world’s population and spanning vast geographical and cultural diversity. At the recent meeting, all member states concurred that peace “cannot be imposed but must be built,” underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in conflict resolution. They urged the international community to take action and propose political solutions for regions experiencing conflict, including Gaza, Haiti, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.

BRICS, with its diverse membership and global reach, serves as a powerful platform for fostering cooperation and promoting a more balanced and equitable world order. This is particularly evident during Brazil’s 2025 BRICS Chairmanship, which marks the fourth time the country has assumed this role. The group’s significance lies in its representation of countries that account for 40% of the world’s population and a substantial quarter of the global GDP. As a collective force, they play a pivotal role in shaping the global economy and advocating for a fairer international order, along with a more just financial and trade system.

With the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” Brazil’s current BRICS Chairmanship focuses on crucial areas such as global governance, healthcare cooperation, climate change, trade and investment, artificial intelligence (AI), and institutional development. President Lula da Silva reaffirmed BRICS’ commitment to effectively implementing essential frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the Pact for the Future.

Brazil also emphasized the importance of cooperation for peace and structural reform of multilateral security institutions, countering the detrimental effects of unilateralism on the international order. President Lula advocated for a consistent defense of multilateralism as the optimal approach to address the prevailing global polarization and fragmentation. He further stressed the need to enhance the international monetary and financial system and criticized the rise of protectionism, which imposes stringent barriers to trade and investment.

AI has emerged as a key area of interest for BRICS. While acknowledging the vast opportunities presented by AI, President Lula also recognized the ethical, social, and economic challenges it poses. Brazil’s BRICS negotiator, Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, encouraged member states to unite in harnessing the power of AI to combat inequality and poverty, demonstrating a commitment to using technology for the betterment of society.

In the face of international challenges and economic difficulties, Celso Amorim, Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of Brazil, underscored the indispensable role of BRICS in safeguarding multilateralism and fostering cooperation among Global South countries. He emphasized the pressing need to “build a dynamic peace” and encouraged BRICS members to strengthen their bonds, fostering mutual understanding and creating an environment conducive to trade and collective progress.

The group of leading emerging economies, known as BRICS, represents a powerful force for development and a commitment to global stability and peace. As global flashpoints and conflicts proliferate and the world navigates an era of “cooperation and confrontation” between major powers, the collective dedication of BRICS, and Brazil’s leadership within it, takes on even greater significance. Their efforts are vital in fostering an environment conducive to development, particularly for the Global South’s developing nations.