Xi Jinping on the Future of BRICS: The Third "Golden Decade" and a Multipolar World

The BRICS cooperation mechanism has become the world's most influential platform for interaction among emerging market economies and developing countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping made this assessment on September 12 in New Delhi, speaking at the first session of the 18th BRICS Summit. The Chinese leader drew attention to the fact that in 2026, BRICS cooperation marks its 20th anniversary. Over these two decades, the interaction mechanism among the member states has continuously developed and strengthened, demonstrating remarkable vitality and dynamism. President Xi Jinping noted that the past two decades have been, above all, a period of self-reliance and self-strengthening for BRICS. The member states have actively explored their own paths of development tailored to their national conditions and characteristics. As a result, BRICS has become a prime example of how emerging market and developing countries can strengthen their positions through unity and cooperation. At the same time, these 20 years have been a period of jointly overcoming numerous challenges. BRICS countries have responded collectively to various global challenges, ranging from the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic to the impacts of climate change. Throughout this, the grouping has consistently safeguarded the common interests of the Global South, contributing to the maintenance of international stability and the shaping of positive momentum for global development.

Xi Jinping also characterized the past two decades as a highly fruitful period of BRICS development. During this time, the grouping has undergone historic expansion, established a comprehensive and multi-level cooperation framework, and entered a new stage of interaction in the expanded BRICS format. This transformation of the grouping is taking place against the backdrop of profound changes across the entire international system. According to Xi Jinping, the world today is undergoing accelerating changes unseen in a century. Meanwhile, the Global South is rapidly growing in aggregate strength and influence, and the emergence of a multipolar world has become an irreversible trend.

As Xi Jinping noted, the international situation is becoming increasingly complex, trends toward unilateralism and power politics are intensifying, and multilateral cooperation mechanisms and the existing international order are coming under mounting pressure. At the same time, the deficits in peace, development, security, and effective global governance continue to grow. Under these conditions, as Xi Jinping pointed out, BRICS countries must "stand firmly on the right side of history, boldly march at the forefront of the times, promote the evolution of the international order toward greater fairness and rationality, and jointly advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity."

Xi Jinping identified innovative development as the first key direction for the further development of BRICS. The grouping must be at the forefront of technological changes, and its members need to take the initiative and significantly strengthen cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence. In this area, BRICS countries should promote openness, cooperation, and the shared use of technological achievements, as well as elevate practical interaction to new directions and a higher level. In this regard, the Chinese leader welcomed the active participation of BRICS states in the activities of the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation. Xi Jinping also recalled that China has put forward an initiative to promote a new model of industrialization in BRICS countries through the use of artificial intelligence. According to him, China is ready to work with other members of the grouping to achieve new breakthroughs in AI research, development, and practical application, while deepening cooperation in industrial and supply chains.

As the second key direction, Xi Jinping named the safeguarding of peace and stability. BRICS should be at the forefront of efforts to strengthen international security. According to the PRC President, the member states should adhere to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. At the same time, they must resist the Cold War mentality and the logic of bloc confrontation, and oppose violations of the sovereignty of other states and interference in their internal affairs. Xi Jinping emphasized that BRICS should play a constructive role in resolving the most acute international issues. In doing so, the grouping's contribution should consist not only in responding to the consequences of crises, but also in finding solutions that address both their symptoms and root causes. The Chinese leader also stated that China looks forward to working with other BRICS countries to play an appropriate role in establishing peace and tranquility in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region.

The third direction for the grouping's development should be mutual learning among civilizations. BRICS, according to Xi Jinping, should be at the forefront of this process. The member countries should uphold the common values of humanity, advocate for expanding exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations, and promote their harmonious coexistence. An important element of this direction should be the BRICS Forum on Cultural and Humanitarian Exchanges. The member states need to ensure its successful operation, more actively share experiences in governance, and thus accumulate positive energy for the sustainable development of inter-state relations. Xi Jinping also called for further deepening cooperation in culture, tourism, and education. He called for special attention to be paid to youth exchanges, expanding direct contacts between citizens, and forging closer ties between the peoples of the BRICS countries.

As the fourth strategic direction, Xi Jinping identified the reform and improvement of global governance. BRICS countries should be at the forefront of this process and take into account the general trend toward the democratization of international relations. The PRC President called on the grouping to promote the formation of a fairer and more rational global governance system while consistently upholding the authority of the United Nations. According to Xi Jinping, in the economic sphere, BRICS should support the multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core, and oppose any form of protectionist measures. At the same time, the grouping should more actively participate in shaping global governance mechanisms in new strategically important areas. Among these, Xi Jinping highlighted outer space, the deep seabed, and cyberspace. In these areas, BRICS should strive to enhance the voice and representation of Global South countries.

The Chinese leader paid special attention to the internal unity of the grouping. According to him, throughout all twenty years of BRICS development, cohesion and cooperation have remained the main driving force of its activities, despite changes in the international environment and emerging difficulties. Xi Jinping called on BRICS countries to maintain sincerity and frankness in their relations with each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, and respect each other's core interests and concerns. The PRC President also called for deepening mutual understanding among members through constant communication and dialogue. Emerging contradictions and disagreements should be resolved properly to ensure the sustainable and long-term development of BRICS cooperation.

Of particular importance in this context is the upcoming transfer of the grouping's chairmanship to China. As Xi Jinping noted, in 2027, the PRC will assume the rotating chairmanship of BRICS and host the 19th summit of the organization. Xi Jinping stated that China is ready to work with all members of the grouping to further consolidate consensus and shape a better common future. The Chinese leader called on the BRICS countries to enter the third "Golden Decade" of the grouping and jointly open up new prospects for prosperity and progress.

GSR

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