BRICS 2025: A Summit of Giants Missing, But Emerging Powers Rally in Brazil

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will notably be absent as leaders of the BRICS bloc convene in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this Sunday.

The summit brings together key emerging economies to discuss urgent global challenges, including trade disputes, Middle Eastern conflicts, climate change, and the governance of artificial intelligence.

Leading Nigeria’s delegation is President Bola Tinubu, who is attending the summit as Nigeria seeks to broaden its international alliances and reposition its economy.

Although Nigeria is not yet a full member of BRICS, it has been actively engaging with the group’s initiatives and dialogues.

The summit also includes the founding BRICS members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – along with new entrants such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.

Tinubu arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Friday night, according to his spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

Over the weekend, he will participate in multiple bilateral and multilateral discussions, including a high-profile session hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Tinubu is slated to address the summit, highlighting Nigeria’s ambitious economic reforms and pitching investment opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, healthcare, and renewable energy.

This year’s summit unfolds amid heightened tensions over trade policies.

BRICS nations are expected to express unified criticism of what they view as protectionist trade measures enforced by the United States under President Donald Trump.

Since resuming office earlier this year, Trump has escalated tariffs and is reportedly planning to announce a new round imminently.

The final summit declaration is unlikely to explicitly mention the U.S. or Trump by name.

On the other hand, insiders indicate it will underscore concerns about the economic uncertainty these policies generate for developing countries.

Marta Fernandez from the BRICS Policy Center described the atmosphere as “cautious,” predicting that the final communiqué will avoid directly naming the U.S., yet convey strong disapproval of its trade stance.

Xi Jinping’s decision to skip the summit, the first time in 12 years he has missed a BRICS meeting, is widely regarded as a significant blow to the summit’s diplomatic clout.

Analysts speculate that Xi’s absence may be an effort to sidestep diplomatic tensions with Washington following recent negotiations aimed at easing trade disputes.

Others suggest that internal geopolitical dynamics played a role, with China possibly reluctant to be overshadowed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is receiving prominent recognition in Brazil.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is also absent in person, attending virtually due to an outstanding international arrest warrant related to alleged war crimes.

Similarly, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian will not be present amid ongoing strains resulting from recent hostilities with Israel.

The absence of such high-profile leaders poses a challenge for Brazil’s President Lula, who is leveraging the summit to assert Brazil’s global influence ahead of a packed schedule that includes hosting the G20 summit and COP30 climate talks.

The summit’s theme, “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” signals the bloc’s focus.

It is on enhancing solidarity among developing nations and promoting more equitable global governance frameworks.

Discussions at the summit will cover a broad range of topics.

These include improvements to global health systems, regulations around artificial intelligence, climate finance, and addressing social and structural challenges faced by emerging economies.

However, behind-the-scenes negotiations have revealed tensions, particularly concerning the group’s stance on current conflicts in Gaza and the Iran-Israel tensions.

Iran is reportedly pushing for a stronger joint statement condemning these conflicts, but disagreements among member states persist.

As the summit gets underway, Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira expressed optimism that BRICS would manage to “speak with one voice” on critical international issues.

His comment reinforces the group’s role as a key platform for the Global South.

In summary, while the absence of Presidents Xi and Putin tempers the summit’s political heft, the gathering remains a significant moment for emerging economies to collaborate on shared challenges.

They also have a medium to push for a more inclusive global order amid a complex international landscape.

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