Meeting of BRICS member countries and other invited countries, in Kazan, Russia, this Thursday (24), was marked by speeches from representatives of 36 nations, who highlighted the situation in the Gaza Strip and the need to increase participation of Asian, African and South American countries in international forums. 
The President of China, Xi Jinping, highlighted that the collective rise of the Global South is the main characteristic of the transformation the world is going through.
“The countries of the Global South marching together towards modernization is monumental in world history and unprecedented in human civilization,” he said, adding that these countries still face great challenges and that “the path to prosperity in the Global South will not be straight.” .
The Global South is the term used to refer to poor or emerging countries that, for the most part, are in the Southern Hemisphere of the planet.
For the Chinese leadership, countries in the Global South must “play an active and leading role in reforming global economic governance and make development the core of the international economic and trade agenda”.
Regarding the war in the Gaza Strip, Xi Jinping highlighted that it is necessary to promote a comprehensive ceasefire and “revive the two-state solution.
“We must prevent the flames of war from spreading in Lebanon.”
Enlarged dome
Representatives from 36 countries met at the expanded BRICS summit this Thursday (24), in Kazan, Russia, in the context of the 16th conference of the bloc’s leaders. Six international organizations also participated in the meeting, including the head of the UN, António Guterres.
Among the countries invited to the meeting were Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, among others. The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, also participated. Brazil was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, who spoke about Gaza, Cuba, UN reform and Ukraine.
“Those who claim to be defenders of human rights close their eyes to the greatest atrocity in recent history,” stated the Brazilian chancellor.
Putin
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, highlighted that the transition to a more equitable world order is not easy and that it is hampered by “forces accustomed to thinking and acting in the logic of domination over everything”.
Putin cited unilateral economic sanctions, total economic protectionism, manipulation of currency and financial markets, as well as interference in the internal affairs of other countries “under the slogan of concern for democracy and human rights, and the fight against changes climate”.
Regarding the war in the Middle East, the Russian president highlighted the need to create an independent Palestinian state that coexists peacefully with Israel.
“Redressing historical injustices against the Palestinian people can guarantee peace in the Middle East. Until this issue is resolved, the vicious circle of violence will not be broken,” he said.
Putin also reinforced the need to reform global financial structures. “The weight of developing countries in the global economy has changed dramatically in recent decades. But this, in particular, was not adequately reflected in the management systems of the International Monetary Fund [FMI]the World Bank and other multilateral banks”, he added.
India
The Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, highlighted that the political and cultural rebalancing has reached a point where it is now possible to contemplate real multipolarity.
“BRICS itself is proof of how profoundly the old order is changing,” said the Indian minister.
On the other hand, the representative of India added that past inequalities continue in new forms. “We see this in access to resources for development and modern technologies,” he said.
Jaishankar also called for reform in international banks, “whose working procedures are as outdated as those of the UN. India started an effort during its G20 presidency, and we are happy to see that Brazil is taking it forward.”
Gutérres
Also participating in the expanded Brics summit was the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, who praised efforts to build a world based on multilateralism, that is, on collective solutions to global problems.
“No group and no country can act alone or in isolation. It has to be a community of nations that work as a global family to face global challenges,” he said.
Guterres agreed that the current financial system is failing to serve the poorest countries. “The international financial architecture is excessive, inefficient and unfair,” he said.
For the UN chief, it is necessary to restructure the debts of the most vulnerable countries and increase financial support for the nations that need it most.
The UN Secretary General also once again called for peace in the Gaza Strip.
“An immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the effective delivery of unhindered humanitarian aid, and we must make irreversible progress to end the occupation [de Israel] and establish a two-state solution,” he added.
