The Rio summit represents a pivotal moment for BRICS as it transitions from a forum of emerging economies to a potential alternative power centre in global governance. Brazil faces the delicate challenge of balancing its traditional Western ties with its BRICS leadership role, making this summit a defining test of whether the alliance can evolve into a cohesive force capable of reshaping international relations or remain a collection of diverse nations with competing priorities.
Why this summit matters
The 2025 BRICS Summit is a critical test of whether they can transition from a loose economic alliance into a cohesive geopolitical force. Key challenges include:
- Managing expansion (integrating new members smoothly)
- Navigating U.S. tensions (potential trade wars)
- Delivering on Global South leadership (beyond rhetoric)
The summit’s outcomes will influence how developing nations view their options for international cooperation and whether alternatives to Western-led institutions can gain meaningful traction. For Brazil, successful hosting would cement its position as a leading voice for the Global South and demonstrate that BRICS can function effectively despite its internal diversity.
The world will be watching to see whether this expanded BRICS can move from aspirational rhetoric to concrete action on the global stage.
1. Date and location confirmed
The 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for 6-7 July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This marks Brazil’s second time hosting the event (previously in 2014), reinforcing its role as a key diplomatic hub in Latin America. The choice of Rio, with its iconic Copacabana backdrop, sends a symbolic message about Brazil’s confidence in leading Global South diplomacy. The city’s experience hosting major international events, including the 2016 Olympics and multiple G20 gatherings, makes it well-equipped for the logistical demands of bringing together leaders from across the developing world.
2. Expanded membership takes centre stage
The summit will be the first major gathering since BRICS expanded in 2024, adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE as full members. The alliance now includes 10 nations (up from the original five: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Indonesia has expressed interest in joining but is not yet a member.
This expansion represents more than just numbers – it brings together countries controlling significant portions of global oil reserves, strategic shipping lanes, and emerging markets. The addition of Saudi Arabia and the UAE gives BRICS substantial influence in global energy markets, while Egypt’s inclusion provides strategic access to the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most important trade routes.
The critical question remains: how will this expanded membership affect decision-making dynamics and the alliance’s ability to reach consensus on major issues?
3. New partnership framework
BRICS is developing a “partner country” model to allow broader cooperation without full membership obligations. While no official list of partners has been confirmed for 2025, nations like Argentina and Nigeria have shown interest. This framework represents a middle ground between full membership and observer status, potentially allowing countries to participate in specific initiatives without committing to all BRICS positions.
The model could prove attractive to nations seeking to diversify their international partnerships without abandoning existing alliances. Turkey, Algeria, and several Central Asian nations are reportedly monitoring these developments closely.
4. Brazil’s overarching theme
Brazil has assumed the BRICS presidency under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, focusing on two main areas:
- Global South solidarity
- BRICS partnerships for social, economic, and environmental development
This theme reflects Brazil’s traditional role as a bridge between developed and developing nations. Under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s leadership, Brazil has positioned itself as a champion of multilateralism and South-South cooperation. The emphasis on sustainability aligns with Brazil’s hosting of COP30 in 2025, creating potential synergies between the two major international gatherings.
This ambitious agenda raises a fundamental question: will the alliance successfully advance its alternative global governance vision, or will it remain primarily a forum for economic cooperation?
5. Six priority areas define the agenda
Brazil’s presidency has outlined six key priorities: global health cooperation building on lessons from COVID-19 and addressing health inequalities; trade, investment, and finance exploring alternatives to dollar-dominated systems; climate change and sustainability coordinating positions ahead of major climate conferences; artificial intelligence governance developing Global South perspectives on AI regulation; inclusive global governance reform pushing for UN Security Council and IMF reforms; and financing for climate action creating new mechanisms for developing nations.
These priorities reflect both immediate challenges and long-term strategic goals. The focus on financial systems is particularly significant, with BRICS members increasingly discussing alternatives to Western-dominated institutions like SWIFT and the World Bank.
6. Preparatory meetings set the stage
A Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held in April 2025 in Rio, though no major disputes were reported. The discussions helped shape the summit agenda. Additional preparatory meetings throughout 2025 have included sessions on trade, energy cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
These gatherings have allowed the expanded membership to work through procedural issues and begin building relationships between new and existing members. The smooth running of these preliminary meetings suggests the alliance is adapting well to its larger size.
7. Parliamentary dimension strengthens
Brazil will host the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasília from 3-5 June 2025, marking the first time the country has assumed the role of official host for this major international event. This parliamentary engagement adds a legislative dimension to BRICS cooperation.
8. Geopolitical tensions loom large
Amid ongoing global trade tensions, BRICS members face renewed pressure to align economic strategies. Recent tariff measures have accelerated existing efforts to strengthen alternative trade frameworks, though internal policy divergences continue to challenge unified responses.
This external pressure may drive members to strengthen internal cooperation mechanisms, but it raises the crucial question: can BRICS present a unified response to external economic pressures, or will individual national interests prevail over collective action?
9. Sport as social transformation tool
BRICS ministers endorsed a memorandum on sports cooperation in 2024, promoting inclusion, inequality reduction, and economic development. This initiative goes beyond traditional diplomatic cooperation, recognising sport’s power to build bridges between communities and nations.
Brazil’s hosting of major sporting events provides a natural platform for this cooperation. The initiative includes plans for youth exchange programs, coaching development, and infrastructure sharing for major sporting events.
10. Youth engagement expands
Following virtual meetings with over 2,000 participants, BRICS youth representatives will attend the summit as observers, highlighting the alliance’s focus on next-generation engagement. The youth dimension includes academic exchanges, entrepreneurship programs, and digital cooperation initiatives.
Young leaders from BRICS nations will present recommendations directly to heads of state, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the alliance’s future direction. This engagement is crucial for BRICS’ long-term relevance, particularly as it seeks to differentiate itself from older international institutions.
