Nizhny Novgorod – Foreign ministers from the expanded BRICS group of nations convened in Russia on Monday for a two-day meeting focused on current international relations, global governance reform, and conflict resolution.
The meeting, chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, is the first since the bloc expanded in 2023 to include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia. Representatives from additional “friends of BRICS” countries were also in attendance.
In his opening remarks, Lavrov highlighted the growing significance of BRICS in a changing world order. “The expansion of BRICS is a clear confirmation of the process of forming a multipolar world order,” he said, noting the increasing influence of Global South and East nations in global decision-making.
Lavrov criticized what he described as Western attempts to maintain dominance and slow down the emergence of a multipolar system. He accused Western nations of using economic “weapons” like sanctions and financial pressure to influence the choices of sovereign states.
He contrasted this with the BRICS model of cooperation, which he characterized as based on principles of equality, mutual respect, openness, and consensus. “BRICS is driving forward the wind of change,” Lavrov asserted, emphasizing the group’s growing role in addressing global challenges.
The meeting’s agenda includes discussions on international relations, strengthening the role of developing countries in global governance, conflict resolution, and collaboration in leading multilateral platforms. A separate session will be held with the participation of several Global South and East nations.
This gathering marks a significant step for the expanded BRICS group, which now represents a larger and more diverse coalition of countries seeking to shape the future of international relations and global governance.
