The year 2025 will likely be remembered as a pivotal one in the evolution of two major international alliances: BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Both groupings held high-stakes summits that underscored their ambitions, their growing influence, and their distinct approaches to global governance and regional security. With the world’s attention divided between Rio de Janeiro and Tianjin, the events of this year have set the stage for a new era of diplomatic competition and cooperation among emerging powers.
BRICS, the bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, gathered for its Leaders’ Summit from July 6 to 7, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro. The event’s theme, ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,’ signaled a clear intent: to amplify the voices of emerging economies and push for reforms in the world’s most powerful institutions. According to the official Brazilian government and BRICS presidency pages, the Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration was at the heart of the summit, setting out a bold agenda for the future. Later in the year, Brazil convened a virtual session of BRICS leaders that zeroed in on global tariffs and protectionism—a timely response to shifting trade winds and rising economic tensions worldwide.
Meanwhile, the SCO convened its Heads of State Council from August 31 to September 1 in Tianjin, China. This marked the 25th summit for the organization and the fifth time China played host. The scale was unprecedented, with the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and a long-term development strategy stretching from 2026 to 2035. As reported by multiple outlets, the summit was not only the largest in SCO history but also a showcase of the group’s commitment to regional security, development, and stability.
So, which summit made the bigger splash in 2025? The answer depends on whether one values global influence or institutional solidity. BRICS, for its part, leaned into the idea of expansion. The Rio Declaration formally welcomed Indonesia as a full member and introduced a new cadre of partner countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. This approach allowed BRICS to widen its circle without overcommitting to immediate full accession, creating a flexible framework for broader engagement. The September virtual summit expanded this inclusivity even further, with leaders from Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joining the conversation. According to official summit summaries, these moves signaled a more far-reaching and adaptable BRICS than ever before.
In contrast, the SCO entered Tianjin as a compact group of ten, with Belarus having just joined as a full member—a development repeatedly highlighted in summit coverage. The Tianjin Declaration mapped the organization’s growing geographic footprint across Eurasia, but the group maintained its preference for tightly bound, treaty-based membership. The SCO’s core institutions—the Council of Heads of State, Council of Foreign Ministers, and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure—remained front and center, with new proposals in 2025 aimed at strengthening financial mechanisms and deepening institutional ties.
BRICS’ 2025 agenda rested on four major pillars: reform of global governance, financial coordination and payments, climate leadership, and the regulation of emerging technologies. The Rio Declaration called for reform of the United Nations Security Council, advocating for broader representation of emerging markets and explicitly supporting larger roles for Brazil and India. Leaders emphasized the need to amplify the Global South’s voice within international bodies. They also directed ministers to continue the BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative, highlighting ongoing work on settlement and depository infrastructure and reinsurance capacity. These efforts were described as pragmatic responses to the financial vulnerabilities posed by sanctions and currency risks.
On the climate front, the summit produced a Framework Declaration on Climate Finance and endorsed Principles for Fair, Inclusive and Transparent Carbon Accounting. These measures aimed to balance the development needs of member states with the urgent imperative of decarbonization. The Rio Declaration also reaffirmed the expansion and governance strengthening of the New Development Bank, led by Dilma Rousseff, and gave the green light to a pilot for Multilateral Guarantees—another sign of BRICS’ growing financial muscle.
September’s virtual BRICS summit took on a sharper tone, as leaders denounced what they called “tariff blackmail” and coordinated responses to unilateral trade measures. According to summit statements, this session positioned BRICS as a platform for collective action against protectionist shocks, particularly those affecting developing economies. The group’s agility and unity in the face of global trade turbulence did not go unnoticed.
The SCO, meanwhile, broadened its focus beyond security to include economic cooperation and regional development. The Tianjin summit adopted a ten-year development strategy and made the political decision to establish an SCO Development Bank—a move intended to finance connectivity and infrastructure projects across Eurasia. Chinese sources emphasized the importance of new platforms for regional cooperation and the long-term vision embedded in the Tianjin Declaration. Yet, for all its economic and cultural ambitions, the SCO’s identity remained rooted in security. Counter-terrorism coordination and regional security dialogues were again prominent, reaffirming the group’s core mission.
In essence, the two alliances offered contrasting models for global engagement. BRICS experimented with a more fluid, inclusive approach, expanding its influence by welcoming new members and partners and tackling issues from governance reform to climate finance. The SCO, on the other hand, doubled down on institutional consolidation, security, and a rule-of-law platform for Eurasian cooperation.
Was BRICS more successful in 2025? If visibility and the ability to shape international debates are the yardsticks, then perhaps so. The Rio Declaration’s call for UN Security Council reform and the group’s proactive stance on global financial and climate issues gave BRICS a moment in the sun. The September virtual summit’s swift response to U.S. tariffs further showcased the bloc’s unity and adaptability.
Yet, the SCO’s achievements shouldn’t be dismissed. The adoption of the Tianjin Declaration, a decade-long development strategy, and the founding of a development bank all point to a deepening institutional foundation—one that could pay dividends in the years ahead. The group’s focus on security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability remains highly relevant in a turbulent world.
Ultimately, 2025 was a year of both divergence and convergence for BRICS and the SCO. Each alliance played to its strengths, carving out distinct roles on the global stage. Whether one values the expansive, adaptable model of BRICS or the cohesive, security-driven approach of the SCO, it’s clear that both are shaping the future of international cooperation in ways that will be felt far beyond their own memberships.