By love-89.com The ancient city of Kazan witnessed a significant moment in the history of BRICS cooperation on October 23, 2024, during the first expanded BRICS summit held in Russia. President Xi Jinping made his twelfth consecutive appearance at this important meeting and engaged in bilateral discussions with three foreign leaders.
What are the key differences in this expanded BRICS meeting? What proposals did President Xi offer for enhancing BRICS cooperation? Let’s delve into the main highlights.
1. **Size and Scale of the Meeting**
The sixteenth BRICS summit took place at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center. This marked a milestone event for “Greater BRICS Cooperation,” featuring an impressive lineup of leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the meeting, with Xi Jinping attending alongside Brazilian President Lula (virtually), Egyptian President Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy, Indian Prime Minister Modi, Iranian President Raeisi, South African President Ramaphosa, and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Notably, leaders from Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE attended the summit for the first time since BRICS expanded.
Before the meeting commenced, BRICS leaders gathered for a group photo to commemorate this historic collaboration, with interpreters equipped to facilitate discussions in seven languages around a circular conference table. The leaders engaged deeply in discussions through rounds of meetings, focusing on a new blueprint for “Greater BRICS Cooperation.”
2. **Significance of the Meeting**
This summit was crucial for establishing a strong foundation for “Greater BRICS Cooperation.” During his address, President Xi welcomed new members to the BRICS family and emphasized that expansion represents a significant milestone in BRICS’ history and a hallmark of the evolving international landscape. He stressed the importance of seizing this summit to maintain momentum for BRICS development and to address strategic issues collectively.
3. **Expanding Global Influence**
One of the defining characteristics of BRICS cooperation is its commitment to a peaceful development framework. The summit produced the “Kazan Declaration,” which announced the establishment of BRICS partner countries. Xi asserted the need to respond to the emerging global south and the calls for countries to join BRICS, enhancing the representation and voice of developing nations in global governance.
President Xi’s proactive stance has been pivotal in advancing BRICS cooperation. From advocating an open and inclusive spirit at the 2014 Fortaleza meeting to introducing the “BRICS Plus” model in 2017, Xi has consistently advocated for expanding and solidifying the BRICS “circle of friends” to promote shared development.
4. **High-Quality Development Initiatives**
In his keynote address titled “Looking Ahead: Breaking Through the Clouds to Promote High-Quality Development of Greater BRICS Cooperation,” Xi provided a five-point proposal to guide the cooperation’s future. He called for the construction of a “Peaceful BRICS” to champion collective security, an “Innovative BRICS” focused on quality development, a “Green BRICS” for sustainable growth, a “Fair BRICS” advocating for global governance reforms, and a “Cultural BRICS” promoting the coexistence of civilizations.
Regarding a peaceful BRICS, he highlighted the importance of a comprehensive security approach. He emphasized resolving the Ukraine crisis and pushing for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to work towards a just resolution of the Palestinian issue.
On the fairness front, Xi noted the urgent need for reforming the international financial architecture, stressing that BRICS nations should play a leading role in enhancing financial cooperation, boosting the New Development Bank, and better mirroring global economic shifts.
Xi also introduced specific initiatives, including establishing a China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center, an International Research Center for Deep-Sea Resources, and a BRICS Digital Education Capacity Building Plan, among others.
5. **Bilateral Meetings and Key Messages**
The BRICS summit served as an important platform for bilateral interactions. During the gathering, Xi met with Indian Prime Minister Modi, Iranian President Raeisi, and Egyptian President Sisi. This encounter with Modi marked the first in-person dialogue since their 2019 meeting in Brazil, showcasing a constructive and significant dialogue.
Key themes from this high-profile bilateral engagement included “essence” and “consensus.” Xi emphasized that the core of China-India relations is how two neighboring developing nations with populations exceeding 1.4 billion interact. He pointed out that mutual development is the largest common ground for both nations.
Modi expressed the importance of stable Sino-Indian relations for the welfare of both nations and the peace and stability of the entire region. Both leaders reached agreements on managing border issues and enhancing dialogue across various levels through multilateral cooperation platforms.
In welcoming Iran and Egypt into BRICS as new members, Xi encouraged collaborative efforts to boost the influence of the Global South within international frameworks, promoting a more just and equitable global order.
In summary, the BRICS summit and the various bilateral interactions illuminated significant initiatives and commitments towards fostering collaboration, with President Xi asserting that with unison and dedication, the potential for BRICS cooperation is boundless and its future promising.