DIPLOMATS from the BRICS group of developing nations have agreed on a joint declaration of their leaders at a summit in Rio de Janeiro this week, three people familiar with the talks said on Saturday.
Reuters reported that the shared statement, which a gathering of their foreign ministers failed to achieve in April, underscores the group's commitment to consensus despite its quickly expanding ranks.
The group of major emerging economies expanded last year beyond Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
That has added diplomatic weight to the gathering, which aspires to speak for developing nations in the Global South, but also increased the complexity of reaching common terms on contentious geopolitical issues.
Negotiators preparing for the leaders’ summit over the past week had struggled to find shared language about the bombardment of Gaza, the Israel-Iran conflict and Africa's representative in a proposed reform of the United Nations Security Council, said two of the sources, who requested anonymity to speak openly.
To overcome differences among African nations on the continent's Security Council representative, the group agreed to endorse seats for Brazil and India, while leaving open which country should represent Africa's interests, a person familiar with the talks said.
The source said the group had agreed to sharpen its tone on conflicts in the Middle East, strengthening language beyond an April note expressing "serious concern."
On trade, sources said the BRICS will continue their thinly veiled criticism of U.S. tariff policy under President Donald Trump from the April ministerial meeting, where they warned against "unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs."
Malaysia Champions Developing Nations' Voice at BRICS Business Forum
Meanwhile, upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was accorded the honour of jointly opening the BRICS Business Forum alongside President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
"I emphasised with utmost conviction that developing nations must no longer be seen as peripheral players in the global system," he said in a Facebook post. "We are not merely heirs to a post-colonial history. We are rising as dignified powers with our own strengths in technology, trade, leadership, and the world’s moral conscience."
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for President Lula’s principled and courageous leadership, describing BRICS as having moved "beyond political rhetoric".
"It is a confluence of political, economic, and civil society forces advancing the cause of a more equitable and just global system," he remarked.
Highlighting BRICS’ inclusive nature, he pointed to the active participation of the private sector, women, youth, and civil society, calling the movement "a collective, resilient endeavour that transcends elite discourse".
"As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia shares this aspiration," he added. "Here in Southeast Asia, we champion multilateralism, are strengthening intra-ASEAN trade, and are leading the use of local currencies in cross-border transactions – a tangible step towards a more stable financial system, free from unilateral dominance."
He further called for strategic collaboration between BRICS and ASEAN to be deepened, particularly through enhanced inter-regional trade and investment, for the mutual benefit of the developing world.
The Malaysian leader also issued a strong call for sweeping reforms of global institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
"These bodies must reflect contemporary realities and the needs of developing countries," he said. "They can no longer remain trapped in post-World War II structures."
"BRICS 2025 is not merely a continuation of past efforts – it marks a new awakening. With visionary political leadership, a progressive private sector, and a strengthening Global South unity, we have a genuine opportunity to reshape the global landscape."
He concluded with a message of continuity and commitment: "Thank you, President Lula. We shall carry this momentum forward in Kuala Lumpur this October." - July 6, 2025
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