Maria Elena Rodriguez, professor and researcher at the BRICS Policy Center, spoke to Agência Brasil in an interview about the 16th BRICS Summit, which took place from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, Russia.

She believes that this year’s 16th BRICS Summit “further consolidates the bloc and presents with greater force the dissatisfaction of much of the planet with the current system.” The professor also said that the summit creates a collective voice, pointing to the need for change and dissatisfaction with the current global system, since “emerging countries are under-represented in decision-making” in these international spaces. According to her, the aim is not necessarily to be a counterpoint to the West, but rather to strengthen the Global South. Another highlight was the presence of UN Secretary General António Guterres at the summit, which demonstrates the prestige of the BRICS at international level.