Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the significance of the BRICS bloc as a representation of the Bandung Conference’s spirit, which opposed the dominance of major world powers. Lula made this statement during the 17th BRICS Summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, where Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was also present as Indonesia’s first full member of BRICS.
Lula pointed out the current crisis facing multilateralism globally, noting the United Nations’ 80th anniversary and the unprecedented challenges to multilateralism. He highlighted that most BRICS members were original signatories of the UN Charter and stressed the rejection of a divided world into spheres of influence, championing a multipolar international order.
BRICS, according to Lula, inherits the spirit of the Non-Aligned Movement, asserting its place in the contemporary global landscape. Indonesia officially became a full member of BRICS in 2025, providing a platform for leaders to address political, security, economic, and financial challenges. Discussions at the summit will cover various topics, including global governance reforms, cooperation in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, climate action, environmental protection, and global health.
