Multilateralism and the BRICS’ Challenges
Angelo Raphael Mattos
Abstract: The global context and the request to the BRICS of new members to join the group are challenges in a scenario that multilateralism has been facing relative crisis. From this perspective, this article aims to bring light to the importance of the group in a multipolar world and the position of Brazil within it, especially since the Johannesburg summit in August and its declaration on that occasion.
As Ricupero (2013) affirmed, it is essential for the BRICS not to lose their main purpose when it comes to their creation. Covering so many topics on its agenda may lead the group to a similar paralysis to that occurs within the World Trade Organization (WTO). Too much might mean nothing. On the other hand, the nature of the bloc itself requires multifaceted actions, since the reform of the financial order is directly related to other crucial issues such as environment and international security. The challenge lies in how to manage those issues in a balanced way.
Multilateralism is fundamental in a multipolar world. Nonetheless, many countries with diversified demands may lead international arrangements to a lack of consensus and a sort of stagnation. That is what has been happening to the WTO since the Doha round. Taking it into account, and considering multilateralism as an important vector of Brazilian foreign policy, President Lula da Silva (2023), on the occasion of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, stated that the relevance of the bloc in a changing world is confirmed by the interest of other countries, such as Argentina, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, in joining the group. However, to maintain their main objectives, the BRICS reinforced, in South Africa, that there are guiding principles, criteria, and procedures to expand the bloc, which is fundamental to having consensus and achieving concrete results.
The New Development Bank of the BRICS, created in 2015, highlights the importance of financing sustainable projects about infrastructure. During Johannesburg, the group also recalled the importance of the 2030 agenda of the United Nations for sustainable development and its commitment to the Paris Agreement regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions. Besides, the BRICS’ countries encourage others to adhere to international treaties such as the Kunning-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Convention on Desertification. They also emphasize the importance of transferring technologies from the developed countries to the developing ones, in addition to financing environmental programs in the latter.
Peace is crucial for multilateralism as well. Considering that, the BRICS have as principles democracy and cooperation to guarantee human rights. Also concerning security and development, the group continues to fight against social inequalities and hunger through international cooperation and coordinated domestic policies. To that end, the group has pointed out the need to enhance the technology of communication and to value operations of peace under the aegis of the United Nations with increased participation of women.
To maintain the strength of the BRICS, their founders need, among other aspects, to keep their eyes on the initial principles and objectives. It is relevant that those goals, in the international arena and within those areas, are priorities on the new partners’ foreign policy agenda likewise. Thus, what they have in common should be stronger than the differences in order to increase the chances to achieve consensus, to keep the members’ commitment and to maintain the group as a highlighted political force in international relations. With BRICS, multilateralism gains, since they contribute to a more balanced balance of power in a changing world.
References
BRASIL, Declaração de Joanesburgo II — Sandton, Gauteng, África do Sul — 23 de agosto de 2023. Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Taken from: <https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/canais_atendimento/imprensa/notas-a-imprensa/declaracao-de-joanesburgo-ii-sandton-gauteng-africa-do-sul-23-de-agosto-de-2023>.
BRASIL, Planalto. Em declaração conjunta, líderes do BRICS anunciam a entrada de seis novos países. Agência gov. Taken from: <https://agenciagov.ebc.com.br/noticias/202308/em-declaracao-conjunta-lideres-do-brics-anunciam-a-entrada-de-seis-novos-paises>.
NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK OF BRICS. Taken from: <https://www.ndb.int/>.
RICUPERO, R. Brazil, BRICS and the international agenda. In: PIMENTEL, José Vicente de Sá (ed.). Brazil, BRICS and the international agenda. Brasília: FUNAG, 2013, p. 442–443.Taken from: < https://funag.gov.br/biblioteca-nova/produto/1-955brazil_brics_and_the_international_agenda>.
About the author
Angelo Raphael Mattos: Doutor e mestre em Relações Internacionais pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação San Tiago Dantas (UNESP, UNICAMP, PUC-SP). Professor nas Faculdades Integradas Rui Barbosa (FIRB) e pesquisador na Rede de Pesquisa em Política Externa e Regionalismo (REPRI).