On September 8, 2025, the leaders of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—and their partners gathered virtually for a summit that underscored just how turbulent the global order has become. The meeting, held via video conference, saw heads of state from Iran, South Africa, Egypt, China, and Brazil voice their deep concerns about the world’s shifting power dynamics, the rise in unilateral actions, and the mounting economic and political challenges faced by developing nations.
Iran’s president, addressing the summit from Tehran, didn’t mince words. According to MNA, he argued that "one of the greatest threats to justice and stability in the contemporary international order is the increase in unilateral actions and the instrumental use of sanctions." He warned that such policies not only put the national interests of independent nations at risk but also disrupt global cooperation and stall sustainable development. He called for a sweeping overhaul of global governance structures, including a hard look at the United Nations Security Council and reforms in the international financial system. The president insisted that groups like BRICS and other Global South institutions have a "special responsibility in guiding the transition to a multipolar, democratic, and equitable order where the voices of developing countries are heard."
Recent geopolitical tensions and the growing threat of climate change, the Iranian leader pointed out, are further threatening economic growth and international peace. He criticized what he described as the disproportionate influence of a handful of powerful nations and the politicization of economic tools, which he said erode trust among countries and undermine effective global governance. Among his proposals were reforms to the international financial system, strengthening the United Nations to better represent developing nations, ensuring equitable access to essential resources, creating support mechanisms for members facing illegal sanctions, and fostering sustainable development through innovation in green and digital economies. Iran, he stressed, remains committed to active collaboration within BRICS, believing that "effective countermeasures against unilateralism would benefit not only member nations but the entire international community."
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed many of these concerns. As reported by Business Day, Ramaphosa said, "Unilateral tariff actions contribute to a protectionist environment, which poses hardships and danger for the countries of the Global South." He noted that the uncertainty of the new trading regime—sparked in part by punitive 30% tariffs imposed on South African imports by the Trump administration—had already negatively affected employment levels and economic growth in South Africa. Ramaphosa made it clear that he supports "meaningful BRICS initiatives that improve the resilience of our economies as BRICS countries and those of the Global South and also strengthen the global multilateral system."
Ramaphosa’s vision for Africa is ambitious. He described a continent that should be "the beating heart of global trade, engaging the world not as a mere exporter of raw materials, but as a creator of value, a connector of regions and a catalyst for shared prosperity." He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area and called for reforms at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address persistent imbalances that leave developing economies stuck at the lower end of global value chains. Ramaphosa also linked these trade issues to the need for broader reform of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, "to ensure that it is inclusive, representative, and fit for purpose."
In a notable move, South Africa launched an extraordinary committee on global wealth inequality, chaired by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, to deliver the first-ever report on global inequality to G20 leaders. Ramaphosa urged BRICS to "use our growing voice to advance a global order that improves the lives of the world’s people and safeguard the planet for future generations." He also voiced support for Brazil’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza and a two-state solution for Palestine.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was equally forthright. He criticized what he called the "paralysis" of the WTO and recent unilateral measures that have made Global South countries "victims of trade practices that are unjustified and illegal." Lula argued that "tariff blackmail" is being normalized as a tool to conquer markets and interfere in domestic issues, and called for BRICS to show that "cooperation is above any form of reality or rivalry." Lula highlighted the economic heft of the group, noting that it represents 40% of global GDP, 20% of trade, and nearly half the world’s population. With 33% of arable land and 42% of agricultural production, he said, BRICS could drive "a green industrialisation that will create jobs and income … in the high-tech sector."
Chinese President Xi Jinping, for his part, condemned what he called "rampant" hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism, warning that "trade wars and tariff wars severely disrupt the world economy and undermine international trade rules." Xi urged BRICS countries to "uphold multilateralism to defend fairness and justice," "promote greater democracy in international relations," and "deepen solidarity and cooperation to drive common development." He reaffirmed China’s readiness to work with partners on the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, declaring, "As long as we step up to take our responsibilities and look out for each other, the giant ship of BRICS will brave the shifting international tides that sail far and steady."
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, attending as a BRICS partner, offered a stern critique of the current international system. As reported by Egypt Today, El-Sisi said the world was "plunged in flagrant double standards" and "blatant violations" of international law. He singled out the UN Security Council’s veto power as a "tool for isolating the council from reality and leaving it incapable" of resolving disputes, arguing that this has undermined the credibility of the entire UN system. El-Sisi noted that developing states face worsening debt burdens, limited access to concessional finance, and a widening "developmental finance and digital gap." Yet, he saw promise in BRICS as "a prominent international forum" to foster mutual respect, strengthen multilateralism, and coordinate efforts to "contribute to forging a much fairer and balanced international regime."
In his address, El-Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s "unwavering position that categorically rejects any scenario aimed at displacing Palestinians from their land, under any pretext." He called on BRICS countries to support efforts to revive the two-state solution and recognize the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He condemned attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and plans to build new settlements, warning that such actions undermine the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East.
Throughout the summit, a common thread emerged: a deep dissatisfaction with the current global order and a shared desire among BRICS and its partners to reshape it. Leaders called for reforms to international institutions, fairer trade rules, and a renewed commitment to multilateralism. They stressed the need to address the economic and developmental challenges facing the Global South, from climate change to debt burdens, and emphasized the importance of solidarity in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.
As the summit closed, the world was left watching—a bit breathless, perhaps—wondering whether these calls for change will translate into real action, or whether the old order will prove as stubborn as ever. One thing’s for certain: the voices of the Global South are growing louder, and the rest of the world would do well to listen.