The Future of Brics

Programme

9:00-9:15 Welcome greetings - Arrigo Pallotti (Director of Organisational Unit Forlì, Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Bologna)

9:15-9:50

• Vitaly Kozyrev (Endicott College), BRICS’ role in Russian Foreign Policy
• Discussant: Marco Puleri (University of Bologna)

9:50-10:25

• Elisa Gambino (University of Manchester), South-South trade and the rise of China: implications for Southern-led development initiatives
• Discussant: Matteo Dian (University of Bologna)

10:25-11.00

• Padraig Carmody (Trinity College Dublin), BRICS’ relevance for, and impacts on, Africa
• Discussant: Davide Chinigò (University of Bologna)

11:00-11:30 Coffee break

11:30-12.05

• Britta Weiffen (Open University), Brazil and BRICS: The perils of diversification
• Discussant: Giovanni Agostinis (University of Bologna)

12:05-12.40

• Diego Maiorano (University of Naples l’Orientale), India’s Role in the BRICS+: Navigating the Balance in a Changing World
• Discussant: Fabio Leone (University of Bologna)

12.40-13.00 Concluding remarks - Corrado Tornimbeni (University of Bologna)

Abstract

The expansion and evolution of the BRICS following the 15th Summit in Johannesburg in November 2023 highlight the group’s growing relevance as a platform for representing Global South interests in a changing geopolitical context. Initially formed to challenge Western financial dominance during the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis, BRICS have since advanced a broader geopolitical agenda aimed at reshaping the world order. With the recent inclusion of new members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE— the so-called BRICS+ now account for nearly one-third of the global GDP, two-fifths of global trade in goods, and almost half of the world’s population. The group holds significant sway over energy markets, producing 40% of the crude oil and controlling 43% of global energy imports.

The expansion of BRICS offers a platform for emerging markets to realign on critical global issues, including energy, finance, trade, and technological innovation. Recent shifts—e.g., Western sanctions on Russia— accelerated intra-BRICS cooperation, resulting in initiatives like the consolidation of the New Development Bank and BRICSpay, a non-dollar payment system. However, the bloc faces daunting coordination challenges due to its heterogeneity in terms of domestic regimes, economic models, and foreign policy preferences, with members that are geopolitical rivals or adopt incompatible development strategies.

The workshop aims to discuss the present and future of BRICS. Presentations will focus on specific case studies from different world regions (Asia, Latin America, and Africa). The contributions will provide a fresh perspective for understanding the challenges and opportunities the BRICS face in reshaping global governance and advancing the interests of the Global South. In particular, the workshop will explore (i) the historical evolution of South-South cooperation, (ii) how BRICS align their economic and political strategies to strengthen their partnership, (iii) what historical precedents guide their approach, (iv) the role of BRICS in challenging the status quo in global multilateral institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, (v) how BRICS manage divergent interests and economic asymmetries.