As the BRICS summit rears its head, an unusual narrative takes shape in the invitations list. Johannesburg is about to host a summit where the attendees will not only form a large chunk of the economic might of the global south but will also signify a shift in the geopolitical balance.
This year’s summit, scheduled for late August, has a guest list that reads more like a roll call of African nations and major Global South bodies. Meanwhile, key Western nations are glaringly absent.
The guest list – Who’s in?
BRICS, the economic powerhouse bloc composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and the host South Africa, has elected to extend a warm welcome to 69 global leaders.
An unprecedented move, according to Anil Sooklal, the South African diplomat at the helm of BRICS affairs. The South African agenda is clear – foster development across the continent and push the envelope on the continental free trade agreement.
Thus, every African head of state finds their name on the invitation list. A surprising twist comes with an apparent snub to Western nations. Heavyweights such as the U.S., U.K., and France find themselves missing from the list.
A stark indication of a strategic shift, especially when France’s overture for an invitation, made by President Emmanuel Macron, met a cold response from Russia.
And now, who’s not?
An unusual surge in interest has seen the BRICS bloc field calls from a multitude of heads of state seeking invitations.
As per Sooklal, President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African President, has taken the decision to make the summit as inclusive as possible for the entire African continent and Global South bodies, thus accounting for the expansive guest list.
Intriguingly, the group has intentionally decided to avoid extending invitations to Western countries. However, this should not be taken as a slight or a sign of unwillingness to engage with the global community.
The BRICS nations continue to address common issues and challenges with the global community, thereby maintaining an open dialogue.
Moreover, the BRICS bloc is witnessing a high level of interest from other nations keen on joining the group. Sooklal disclosed that over 40 countries have shown their interest, with 22 nations already forwarding their formal applications.
This broad engagement echoes the increasingly influential position of BRICS in the global economy and politics.
Discussions at the summit promise to stir the pot further, with topics such as ‘deepening interaction in trading in local currencies’ on the agenda. The attempt to loosen the dollar’s grip on international trade hints at a desire for greater financial autonomy among the member nations.
In the grand scheme of things, the upcoming BRICS summit is more than just an economic conference. It serves as a barometer of the shifting geopolitical landscape, with the Global South asserting itself more prominently on the world stage.
The carefully chosen guest list and the conspicuous absence of Western nations, whether by design or circumstance, is a reflection of this change. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the future.
With each passing year, the BRICS summit is becoming a more significant event in the global calendar, and the world is watching.
