“The BRICS have emerged as a fundamental actor of growing relevance, authority and leadership in the global geopolitical scenario and a real hope for the countries of the South in their complex path towards the achievement of a more just, democratic, equitable and sustainable international order.”
This was stated by the member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, while speaking at the recently concluded 16th Summit of that alternative bloc, in the Russian city of Kazan.
He emphasized the Group’s contribution to the change in the financial architecture, with a New Development Bank that makes these resources available under more favorable conditions. He also highlighted the role in the reduction of monetary imbalances and the counterweight to the U.S. dollar, used as an instrument of pressure.
Rodríguez Parrilla pointed out the coincidence between Cuba’s points and the Final Declaration: “We are pleased to see that the BRICS have among their priorities the confrontation of the current world food and energy crisis, with very positive experiences, the results of which have been validated in many of its member states.”
Likewise, he pointed out the advantages of the Island’s geographic position to facilitate the access of the nations of the bloc to important markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as to establish strategic partnerships.
He recalled the insertion of the largest of the Antilles in initiatives promoted by members of the Group, such as the Belt and Road and Global Development, proposed by China; while in the Eurasian Economic Union it plays the role of Observer.
The Foreign Minister reiterated the deep concern and condemnation of the genocide in Palestine and the escalation in the Middle East, consequences of the aggressiveness and impunity of the State of Israel, with the support of the United States.
He also repeated his support for the joint initiative of China and Brazil towards a constructive and peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine. He expressed opposition to unilateral coercive measures against Russia, and to the supply of arms and funds to fuel the war.
Expressed support for Sandinista Nicaragua against interference in its internal affairs and solidarity with the campaigns and measures directed against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the leadership of the constitutional president Nicolás Maduro Moros.
The Final Declaration, approved unanimously, contains 134 goals for 2025, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin at Wednesday’s plenary meeting. The document summarizes the results of the Russian Presidency of the BRICS and the priorities for the future.
With regard to the content of the text, the host president underscored the comprehensive analysis of the problems of the world and the benchmarks defined for long-term interaction. He also stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among its members, based on common interests.
He considered it a key element to expand partnership with developing countries, as it will contribute to strengthening global cooperation. To increase their contribution to the world economy, they called for a reform of the Bretton Woods institutions. Indeed, such decisions can lay the foundations for a multilateral order with greater justice and democratic openness.
The agreement to study the possibility of an independent cross-border payment and deposit system, called BRICS Clear, is of great significance, as it would complement the Group’s existing financial infrastructure.
Putin detailed that the new system would be based on an exchange of information developed between central banks. “This is an analog of swif,” he explained. If this idea is translated into concrete terms, it would be lapidary for the interests of the United States and the dollar.
On the other hand, they valued the construction of a single transportation platform, to guarantee multimodal logistics between them.
NEW PARTNERS
One of the key milestones of the Summit was the entry of 13 new nations, two of them located in Latin America: Cuba and Bolivia.
“The incorporation of these new partner countries is perceived as a sign that the BRICS seek to strengthen multilateral cooperation to expand their influence in the international arena,” assured in its X account, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).
In Telegram, hours before the transcendental announcement, the executive secretary of the regional organization, Jorge Arreaza, said that these decisions will contribute to the articulation of the “new and necessary multipolar world.”
Regarding the entry of ALBA members, he considered it a significant contribution for both parties, a win-win link. He highlighted the similarity of values between both blocs, such as respect for sovereignty, collaboration and economic complementarity.
Arreaza mentioned potentialities of the Latin American organization: Petrocaribe in the energy sector; the ALBA Bank, an instrument of solidarity development; in addition to fair trade mechanisms and joint productive processes, as opposed to capitalist transnationals and neoliberal schemes.
He also highlighted how, through the new stage of Agroalba, they will share experiences in food processing with the Global South. He also praised counter-hegemonic media, including Telesur, and the promotion of multiculturalism.
“The ALBA is also a moral force of resistance and liberation, which has demonstrated an infinite capacity to unite for life with human, ethical and anti-imperialist criteria, a few miles away from the U.S. empire itself,” he concluded.
According to the BRICS News account on X, the list of nations added as partners is completed by Algeria, Belarus, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.