中文
By Hassan Daud Butt
Lead: The expansion of the BRICS is strengthening the Global South's role, opening new opportunities for cooperation and helping create a more balanced and inclusive global order.
The global order is undergoing not just a shift, but a major transformation, driven by rapid advances in technology and connectivity. For countries in the Global South, this change brings both daunting challenges and key opportunities to redefine their place in the world. Once seen mainly as recipients of aid or investment, these nations are positioning themselves at the forefront of a new development frontier, where digital innovation, green growth and regional integration converge.
Countries in the Global South are no longer passive observers; they are now actively shaping the future and leading efforts toward a more equitable, multipolar world order. This momentum is especially visible in the clean technology sector. In 2023, 193,000 low-carbon patent applications were filed worldwide, a 13% increase from the previous year. China led with more than 101,000 green patents, demonstrating its leadership in clean tech, while India and Brazil are also emerging as major players.
This year's BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, which concluded on July 7 under the theme of "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance," came at a time of rising geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism and institutional lag that threaten decades of global integration. Despite these challenges, the BRICS group, originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2024, and Indonesia in 2025, as members. This marked the biggest expansion the group has ever seen since it was founded. The new members cover key strategic and economic areas, from the energy-rich Gulf and the Horn of Africa to major shipping routes like the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
Together, BRICS nations (including members and partners) make up about 44% of the world's GDP by purchasing power parity, half of the global population, and roughly 40% of the world's land.
The summit in Rio placed strong emphasis on deepening policy connectivity and reforming global governance structures. Key discussions focused on peace and security, multilateralism, global economic and financial systems, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and global health. Despite rising tariff barriers imposed by the United States, these dialogues were not positioned as anti-Western but rather as a demonstration of BRICS's growing capacity to shape global economic norms and offer viable, inclusive alternatives to traditional Western-led institutions.
Today, BRICS is a powerful symbol of "glocalization," bringing together global goals with the local needs and realities of countries across the Global South. With China playing a central role, the group is evolving from a platform for emerging economies into a driver of tailored, inclusive development. As BRICS expands, it is deepening cooperation in digital infrastructure, green innovation and local currency trade.
In parallel, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which now connects more than 150 countries, complements BRICS' objectives by providing critical trade corridors, energy security infrastructure and investment linkages. Through the Digital Silk Road, the BRI is also enabling cross-border integration of fiber-optic networks, smart customs and satellite systems across Africa and Eurasia, directly supporting fintech, e-commerce and data flows within the BRICS framework.
Beyond infrastructure, China's launch of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative reflects a broader vision for cooperative, sustainable and culturally respectful development throughout the Global South.
The 17th BRICS Summit marked a turning point in the group's pursuit of financial autonomy, diversification and systemic resilience. Its move away from dependence on the U.S. dollar is not reactionary, but a strategic effort to reinforce economic sovereignty and protect against external shocks. Member states are increasingly conducting bilateral trade in local currencies, laying the groundwork for a functional multi-currency global trading system.
With new members, BRICS has significantly expanded its geographic and economic footprint. According to a February 2025 policy brief by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, from 2002 to 2021, the total global trade of all BRICS countries grew more than sevenfold, crossing $4 trillion from $572 billion.
Additionally, discussions on creating alternatives to the SWIFT system highlight the group's ambition to reshape global financial practices in a more equitable way. As BRICS grows in size and economic strength, it is becoming a central focus of global economic discussions. For this reason, cooperation between BRICS and the U.S. is not just possible but essential. Pursuing multilateral cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, pandemic preparedness, digital governance and infrastructure co-financing is imperative. A BRICS–G7 working group on digital trust or a joint task force on climate finance involving the BRICS Bank and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation could send a strong signal of collaborative intent.
Pakistan, while not yet a formal member of BRICS, is one of the most enthusiastic countries seeking entry. Initiatives like Brazil's clean tech leadership, South Africa's push for renewables, and Pakistan's role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) show how global strategies can be locally adapted to drive growth and resilience. With its geostrategic position at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, and its close economic, political and strategic ties with China, Pakistan sees BRICS as a natural platform to expand its regional presence.
In 2021, BRICS countries accounted for 35.2% of Pakistan's imports (with China alone contributing 27.2%) and 11.1% of its exports. Bilateral trade with Russia reached a record $1 billion in 2023. As a committed partner in the BRI under CPEC, Pakistan's participation in BRICS could help leverage its natural resources, growing tech talent and strategic ports like Gwadar. With significant Chinese direct investment in energy and infrastructure, Pakistan serves as a strong bridge between BRICS' institutional architecture and the next wave of Global South economies. Its formal request to join the group underscores Pakistan's desire to take a more active role in shaping rules on trade, climate, fintech and connectivity standards.
That said, the platform must not become an echo chamber for ambition. Functional cooperation, rather than ideological alignment, should be the guiding principle. Divergences in political systems, stages of economic development and global alignments within the group demand pragmatism.
In short, BRICS has the opportunity to bridge these gaps through practical, forward-looking solutions in a multipolar world. With expanded membership, enhanced strengths, and a shared vision, it can foster a more balanced and inclusive global order—one rooted in trust, innovation, and collective progress. By accelerating cooperation and tackling inequalities, BRICS can drive broad-based and equitable development.
Hassan Daud Butt is an investment and project management specialist and a faculty member at several think tanks and universities. He is a senior adviser to China Energy Engineering Corporation.
