What is BRICS ?

BRICS is an acronym representing an association of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term was initially coined by economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to refer to these countries, which were seen as having significant growth potential and influence in the global economy. The BRICS countries are characterized by their large populations, considerable economic potential, and increasing geopolitical influence.

The group formed to enhance cooperation among its members in various areas, including economics, trade, finance, and geopolitics. They aim to address common challenges, advocate for reforms in global financial institutions, and promote mutual trade and investment opportunities among themselves. The BRICS nations hold annual summits to discuss issues of mutual interest and coordinate policies on various global matters.

Certainly! The BRICS countries collaborate on multiple fronts, such as economic development, technology, energy, healthcare, and security. Here are some key aspects of their collaboration:

1. Economic Cooperation: BRICS nations work to foster economic cooperation through trade and investment. They explore avenues for enhancing bilateral and multilateral trade, reducing barriers, and boosting economic ties among member nations.
2. Financial Collaboration: The group has discussed the establishment of a New Development Bank (NDB) and a Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). The NDB aims to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies, while the CRA provides a safety net through pooled reserves to tackle financial crises.
3. Political and Geopolitical Influence: BRICS countries often share common perspectives on global political and security issues. They collaborate on global governance reforms, advocating for a more equitable representation in international institutions like the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund.
4. Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: In addition to economic and political cooperation, BRICS nations encourage cultural exchanges, educational collaborations, and tourism among their populations to foster greater understanding and goodwill.
5. Technology and Innovation: Cooperation in technological fields, including innovation, research, and development, is gaining importance among BRICS members. They explore partnerships in areas such as space exploration, information technology, and renewable energy.
6. Infrastructure Development: Collaboration among BRICS nations often includes discussions and initiatives to improve infrastructure, particularly in developing countries. This includes investments in transportation, energy, telecommunications, and other key sectors to stimulate economic growth and development.
7. Sustainable Development: BRICS countries have shown increasing interest in promoting sustainable development practices. They aim to address environmental challenges, such as climate change, by exploring renewable energy sources, adopting environmentally friendly policies, and supporting initiatives for sustainable development goals.
8. Joint Research and Academic Collaboration: Cooperation extends to research and academic fields. There are initiatives to promote joint research projects, academic exchanges, and collaborations between universities and research institutions in member countries to foster innovation and knowledge sharing.
9. Healthcare Cooperation: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of healthcare cooperation among nations. BRICS countries have discussed joint efforts in medical research, vaccine development, and healthcare infrastructure to address not only the pandemic but also broader healthcare challenges.
10. Trade and Investment Promotion: BRICS nations often work on enhancing trade relations and investment opportunities among themselves, aiming to reduce barriers and facilitate smoother trade flows. They explore avenues for promoting investments and fostering business partnerships.

Overall, while the BRICS alliance represents a significant collaboration among emerging economies, the impact and success of their initiatives can be influenced by various factors including geopolitical tensions, domestic policies, economic challenges, and differing priorities among member nations. Nonetheless, the group continues to be a platform for dialogue and cooperation among these influential economies on various global issues. The BRICS alliance is seen as a platform where these emerging economies can voice their concerns, collaborate on various fronts, and potentially reshape global economic and political dynamics in the future. However, the level of collaboration and impact can vary due to differences in priorities, economic structures, and political dynamics among the member countries.

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The leaders of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries met for the first time in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the margins of G8 Outreach Summit in July 2006. Shortly afterwards, in September 2006, the group was formalised as BRIC during the 1st BRIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which met on the sidelines of the General Debate of the UN Assembly in New York City.

After a series of high level meetings, the 1st BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia on 16 June 2009.

BRIC group was renamed as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) after South Africa was accepted as a full member at the BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York in September 2010. Accordingly, South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya, China on 14 April 2011.

BRICS is an important grouping bringing together the major emerging economies from the world, comprising 41% of the world population*, having 24% of the world GDP* and over 16% share in the world trade*. BRICS countries have been the main engines of global economic growth over the years. Over a period of time, BRICS countries have come together to deliberate on important issues under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial and cultural and people to people exchanges.