Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the significance of the BRICS bloc in upholding the legacy of the historic Bandung Conference, which was a symbol of resistance against domination by major world powers. Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Lula highlighted the parallel between BRICS and the Bandung Non-Aligned Movement, stating that BRICS embodies the spirit of Bandung.
The summit, attended by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as Indonesia’s first full member participation in BRICS, addressed the challenges facing multilateralism on a global scale. Lula pointed out the crisis facing multilateralism and the collapse of global cooperation, despite the United Nations reaching its 80th anniversary on June 26.
Reflecting on the original signatories of the UN Charter, Lula emphasized the rejection of dividing the world into spheres of influence at the Bandung Conference ten years after the establishment of the United Nations. He reiterated BRICS’ commitment to a multipolar international order and its role as the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement.
Indonesia officially became a full member of BRICS on January 1, 2025, providing a platform for addressing political, security, and economic challenges. The leaders at the summit discussed various issues, including global governance reforms, collaboration in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence governance, climate action, environmental protection, and global health.
Overall, the 17th BRICS Summit highlighted the importance of unity and cooperation among member nations in building a more equitable and sustainable global landscape.
