The 2024 BRICS Summit

 

BRICS met for its sixteenth summit in 2024. It was hosted in Kazan, Russia. BRICS is expanding with more nations seeking to join. The challenge is that there are some tensions between some members. Venezuela and Brazil are experiencing a decline in diplomatic  relations. Brazil vetoed Venezuela's entry into BRICS. President Lula Da Silva questioned Venezuela's election results and appears to be drifting further away from President Nicolas Maduro. China and India do have border disputes. The atmosphere was different. Global South nations are asserting their economic independence. Since 2009 BRICS was an informal association of emerging economies in Asia, South America, and Africa. Since then it has become an important factor in the world economy. Attempts made by NATO to isolate Russia internationally were not successful. Seeing as the Russian Federation faces hostility from the European Union, diplomatic ties are sought elsewhere. A growing movement has emerged for creating a new currency and replacing the dollar. African and Asian nations are going to be a great force in the 21st century. Natural resources and a new currency are methods of challenging the dominance of EU countries. More members can be an advantage, but it brings complications. Argentina was set to join, yet reversed it decision. The reason was the country elected a right-wing libertarian President Javier Milei. Saudi Arabia has not taken the offer to become a member. Being a member of BRICS remaining western aligned would be difficult. Most EU countries and the United States see BRICS as an adversary. BRICS could also shield against sanctions unfairly placed on countries from Europe and North America. The 2024 BRICS summit marks an important geopolitical shift.