🇧🇷 Lula’s Quiet Power Play:
Brazil Repositions BRICS as a Global Bridge Amid Rising Tensions
O P I N I O N
Anton JieSamFoek
The 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro this July marked a pivotal moment in global diplomacy, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attempting to steer the expanding bloc toward constructive multilateralism amid rising global tensions. As the group now accounts for over 45% of global GDP and represents more than half the world’s population. Lulas leadership approach offers important insights into how middle powers can navigate an increasingly polarized international system.
What stands out most about Brazil’s presidency is its deliberate restraint and focus on practical cooperation rather than confrontational rhetoric. The summit’s outcomes were notably mild – there was no explicit condemnation of Israel or the United States, and no mention of de-dollarization This measured approach reflects Lula’s diplomatic philosophy and Brazil’s historical role as a bridge-builder rather than a disruptor.
Lula opened the summit by addressing “the multilateralism crisis” and highlighting conflicts’ impacts on national autonomy, security, and the global economy. This framing was strategic – positioning BRICS not as an anti-Western bloc but as a necessary response to global governance failures. The resulting joint declaration titled “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” reaffirmed the group’s commitment to multilateralism and international law.
The summit’s agenda revealed Brazil’s priorities under Lula’s leadership. Discussions covered global health, development, climate change, AI governance, trade, and institutional structure topics that reflect Brazil’s domestic concerns and international positioning. Particularly notable were calls for strengthened climate finance and improved carbon accounting positioning BRICS countries as climate leaders ahead of COP30 in Belém next year.
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However, the expansion of BRICS presents both opportunities and challenges. With Indonesia joining as an official member and 11 new partner countries, the bloc’s diversity has increased dramatically. This has led to increased disagreements within the group, with geopolitical tensions among members becoming more apparent Managing this diversity while maintaining coherence represents Lula’s greatest diplomatic challenge.
The timing of recent BRICS discussions has also proven significant. Recent virtual meetings addressing trade tensions, where neither Lula nor Xi Jinping specifically mentioned Trump or the US demonstrate the careful diplomatic balancing act required. Brazil’s approach suggests a preference for addressing global issues through principled multilateralism rather than direct confrontation.
Looking forward, Brazil’s BRICS presidency appears to prioritize institution-building over ideological positioning. Brazil’s tradition of “productive presidencies focused on concrete results” was evident when it created the New Development Bank during its 2014 presidency . This pragmatic approach may serve BRICS well as it navigates an increasingly complex global landscape.
The real test of Lula’s leadership will be whether BRICS can maintain unity while addressing diverse member interests. The bloc’s growing economic weight demands serious attention from traditional powers, but its internal contradictions could limit its effectiveness. Brazil’s diplomatic tradition of seeking consensus and avoiding extremes may be exactly what BRICS needs to mature from a forum of grievances into a constructive force for global governance reform.
Ultimately, Brazil’s approach to the BRICS presidency reflects Lula’s broader foreign policy vision: asserting developing world interests while maintaining dialogue with all sides. In an era of increasing great power competition, this middle path may prove both BRICS’ greatest asset and its defining challenge.