Challenges of BRICS and the Brazilian Presidency of the Bloc
Sixteen years after the formation of BRICS, this article proposes a historical analysis of the bloc’s establishment and consolidation, with a focus on the main challenges faced by the current Brazilian presidency. It is argued that, in its initial phase, the group adopted a reformist agenda aimed at expanding the representation and influence of Global South countries within existing multilateral institutions, without seeking to confront them directly. However, this reformist agenda lost momentum as geopolitical tensions intensified.
Currently, more than 20 countries have formally expressed interest in joining the group. In this new context, elements such as the intensification of the rivalry between the United States and China, the annexation of Crimea and Russia’s subsequent invasion of Ukraine, the debate over monetary alternatives to the U.S. dollar, and the expansion of the bloc with regionally strategic countries have contributed to the reconfiguration of BRICS as a coalition with an increasingly geopolitical character.
With the aim of offering a holistic understanding of the group, the article proposes an analytical methodology based on three dimensions: (i) the geopolitical perspective and interstate rivalry; (ii) an approach focused on analyzing cooperation relations and intra-BRICS asymmetries; and (iii) the investigation of conflicts and disputes in territories where megaprojects are implemented, considering the power dynamics between countries and regions of the Global South.
Finally, the article discusses the main advances and challenges faced by BRICS over the past three years, highlighting their impacts on the ongoing Brazilian presidency.