2025 BRICS Summit

The 2025 BRICS Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 6–7 July 2025, was the 17th annual summit of the BRICS bloc composed of developing nations. The summit served as a platform for discussing global agenda issues such as multilateral global governance reform trade wars climate change and conflicts in Gaza and Iran.

General Information

The 17th BRICS Leaders Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro Brazil on 6–7 July 2025. The summit meetings were held at the Museum of Modern Art a symbolic venue in the city. The summit is still ongoing. Brazil holds the 2025 BRICS chairmanship. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered the opening address of the summit.

Participants and Levels of Representation

Brazil as the host country participated at the head of state level. Russia participated with the president attending virtually and the foreign minister present in person. India and South Africa participated at the head of state level. The President of China did not attend the summit due to a scheduling conflict and was represented by the prime minister. Indonesia which joined BRICS in 2024 participated for the first time as a full member. Iran was represented at the level of foreign minister rather than head of state. Other new members were represented at the head of state or minister level.

Among partner countries and invitees Belarus Cuba and Vietnam participated as partners. Türkiye Azerbaijan Palestine Kenya Colombia Mexico Chile and Uruguay participated as invited countries. Türkiye was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

The absence of the President of China was due to a scheduling conflict. The President of Russia did not attend in person due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court and participated virtually. The President of Iran also did not attend the summit due to security conditions within the country.

Summit Agenda

The agenda of the 2025 BRICS Summit focused on multilateral global governance reform unilateral practices in the global trade system regional conflicts and sustainable development. One of the main topics of discussion was the need to reshape the current global order in favor of developing countries and to reform Western-dominated international institutions.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described BRICS as the contemporary successor to the Non-Aligned Movement of the Cold War era and called for a new multipolar global governance structure. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also argued that BRICS must lead the push for reform of global governance.

The ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and military operations against Iran formed another major agenda item. Lula characterized Israel’s military operations in Gaza as “genocide” and BRICS leaders called for a lasting and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza emphasizing the need for Israel to withdraw from Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories. The attacks against Iran were condemned as violations of international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria were underscored.

On climate change the summit highlighted the responsibility of developed countries to provide climate finance to developing nations and noted that fossil fuels still play a significant role in developing economies. The initiative to establish the Forever Tropical Forests Fund proposed by Brazil received support and China and the United Arab Emirates announced their intention to invest in the fund. Meanwhile new trade regulations such as the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism and anti-deforestation laws were criticized as discriminatory and protectionist measures.

Regarding economic and financial cooperation the summit decided to reduce dependence on the US dollar establish alternative payment systems and launch the BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Initiative within the New Development Bank. It was emphasized that fair and ethical rules must be established for the development of artificial intelligence technologies and the need for data security equitable access and the prevention of digital inequalities was highlighted.

Strengthening global health systems preparing better for pandemics and supporting health infrastructure in developing countries were also placed on the agenda. All these issues discussed at the summit were framed as efforts to enhance cooperation among developing countries and to establish a fairer balance within the global system.

US President Donald Trump’s Tariff Threat Against BRICS

During the 2025 BRICS Summit US President Donald Trump announced that he would impose a 10 percent additional customs tariff on all countries that cooperate with BRICS including those adopting “anti-American policies.” Trump announced this decision via social media and stated that no exceptions would be made. The US administration granted countries until 9 July 2025 to conclude trade negotiations with the United States and announced that tariffs would take effect on 1 August 2025 for countries that failed to reach an agreement by that date.

The Trump administration justified these tariffs as a tool of global trade policy citing BRICS as engaging in economic and political actions contrary to US interests. This threat was implicitly criticized in the BRICS joint statement which emphasized that unilateral trade measures and tariffs threaten the global trade order. BRICS countries argued that such practices violate international trade rules.

Joint Statements and Decisions

BRICS leaders affirmed that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of Palestine and called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories. The joint statement demanded a lasting and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. It also called for an end to Israel’s occupation of parts of Syrian territory and the withdrawal of its military forces from the region.

The military strikes against Iran beginning on 13 June 2025 were deemed violations of international law and breaches of the United Nations Charter. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria were emphasized and support was expressed for a peaceful and inclusive political process.

A call was made for urgent continuous and uninterrupted humanitarian aid in response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan. In Haiti the statement stressed the need to improve security conditions neutralize armed gangs and support long-term development efforts.

The BRICS joint statement characterized the unilateral customs tariffs and non-trade measures imposed by the United States as threats to the global trading system. It noted that such measures disrupt global supply chains and exacerbate economic inequalities. BRICS countries reaffirmed their support for a rules-based fair open and inclusive multilateral trading system.

The joint statement underscored the need to reform the United Nations Security Council but no consensus was reached on which countries should become permanent members. While China and Russia supported Brazil and India’s permanent membership no other members expressed clear support for this position.

BRICS decided to launch a pilot program called the BRICS Multilateral Guarantee Initiative within the New Development Bank. The initiative aims to reduce financing costs and improve the investment climate in member countries.

The proposal by Brazil to establish the Forever Tropical Forests Fund was supported. China and the United Arab Emirates announced their intention to invest in the fund. Additionally developing countries were urged to receive financial support from developed nations in their fight against climate change. BRICS evaluated European practices such as carbon border taxes as protectionist and discriminatory measures.