The 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, wasn’t just another meeting of world leaders. It marked a turning point in global politics. For the first time, this summit was viewed as more influential globally than the meetings of the G7 or G20, which typically dominate world discussions.
This year’s summit was special because four new countries—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE—joined as official BRICS members in January. This move expanded BRICS beyond the original five nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), bringing in a wider range of perspectives from around the world. Overall, 36 countries attended the summit in Kazan, and over 20 of them were represented by their leaders. This level of global participation was unprecedented for BRICS, which now represents over 40% of the world’s population. If more countries join, this percentage could even rise to half the world’s people, a feat unmatched by the G7 or G20.
Why the World is Paying Attention to BRICS
BRICS has become a much more “authoritative” and “representative” group on the global stage. BRICS now has more influence than the G7, which consists of the US, Canada, Japan, and four European countries. These Western nations have traditionally held much of the world’s economic power, but this BRICS expansion signals a shift in who holds global influence.
Interestingly, while Western media reported that only “over 20 countries” attended the summit, they failed to mention that 36 countries were actually present in Kazan. The gathering included heads of state and other high-level representatives who were all there to discuss topics that directly impact their countries. This BRICS summit was more globally significant than both the G7 and G20 meetings, a shift that mainstream media was largely quiet about.
Russia’s Surprising Comeback
What makes the summit even more intriguing is Russia’s economic comeback. Despite facing heavy sanctions from Europe, Russia has returned to the list of the world’s top 10 economies, ahead of several European countries that tried to limit its global influence. This economic resilience gave Russia a strong position in Kazan and showed that the BRICS alliance has powerful backing, making it a serious alternative to the G7 and G20.
The Quiet Shift of Power
While the BRICS summit was underway, the Commonwealth—a group of mostly former British colonies—held its own meeting in Samoa, hosted by the UK’s King Charles. Yet, two of the Commonwealth’s biggest members, India and South Africa, skipped it to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan instead. The symbolism here is hard to ignore: leaders from major Commonwealth nations chose BRICS over a traditional Western gathering, hinting at a shift in where global loyalty may lie.
A New Vision for the World
The BRICS alliance is not simply about opposing the West. BRICS isn’t anti-Western or anti-American. It’s also not about replacing the US dollar as the world’s main currency. Instead, BRICS wants to break down barriers that keep poor countries from developing, aiming to create a fairer global system that benefits more people. This vision makes BRICS attractive to many nations that feel sidelined in traditional global groups like the G7 and G20.
A Growing Club of Nations
French politician Sébastien Périmony called this summit an example of the “international paradigm shift” happening right now. He noted that Western media often tries to portray countries like China and India as rivals, implying that they wouldn’t work together. But in Kazan, these nations set aside their past conflicts, proving they’re open to building a future that doesn’t revolve around Western dominance.
The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan wasn’t just a meeting—it was a signal to the world that power structures are changing. As BRICS grows and gains more influence, it’s becoming clear that a new era in international relations is emerging, with BRICS at the helm.
