BRICS, G20 poised to reshape geopolitical landscape

IN 2025, the scale, scope and velocity of Trumpism are so disruptive that new forms of partnerships are evolving in ensuring the global governance consensus and saving UN multilateralism.

- ASHRAF PATEL

The Global South nations, especially G77, desperately need multilateralism to function and for fair World Trade Organisation (WTO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to work in order to broaden the benefits of trade, financial reforms and any hope for UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Brics Rio communique in July is significant. The 130-point plus final declaration - not only thoroughly detailing every major issue, with calculated moderation, but resolutely setting a trademark Brics group of developing nations tone and a clear set of humanistic values focused in three strategic pillars: economy-finance, designing a new global security framework, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, the overarching umbrella of inclusiveness and mutual respect.

The following week, the G20 finance ministers (minus the US) meeting in Zimbali was unable to reach a consensus statement on key issues of global minimum tax and African debt relief. While both the Brics and G7 core are members of these groupings, prioritising different themes and modalities is proving illusory.

Saving multilateralism: Both G20 and Brics blocs are converging out of necessity at this moment in time. The Brics Rio July 2025 declaration is groundbreaking in its scope and depth and committee clarity in saving the UN system and reforming multilateral institutions for common development and humanity, adopting the leaders framework, declaration on climate finance, AI governance and Partnership on Elimination of Diseases. (Brics Rio Declaration https://brics.br )