Palestinian PresidentMahmoud Abbas attended the summit, and BRICS leaders called in a statement for the establishment of aPalestinian state within the 1967 borders.[2]
BRICS members introduced a payment system namedBRICS Pay designed to facilitate transactions and the interchange of financial information between central banks of partnered nations, serving as an alternative to the Western interbank systemSWIFT.[3] This system will facilitate international settlements.[4][5][6]
The BRICS Kazan Declaration has been adopted.[7][8] BRICS nations endorse reform of the UN and Security Council and the full participation of theState of Palestine in the United Nations, contingent upon thetwo-state solution.[9] The Kazan Declaration expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territory, particularly the escalation ofviolence in Gaza and theWest Bank, which resulted in significant civilian harm and displacement. The declaration also noted alarm over thesituation in Southern Lebanon and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Additionally, it highlighted the adverse impact ofunilateral sanctions on the global economy and the achievement of sustainable development goals.[10] BRICS nations consented to deliberate and investigate the feasibility of creating an autonomous cross-border settlement and depository system. The finance ministers of BRICS nations will persist in evaluating the utilization of national currencies, payment tools, and platforms during the forthcoming Presidency and will report on the outcomes.[11]
On 24 October, Russia hosted a plenary session of the 16th BRICS Summit in the BRICS Plus/Outreach format, bringing together CIS leaders, delegations from Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American countries, and the heads of several international organizations.[12][13]
Meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at 2024 BRICS Summit
Chinese leaderXi Jinping and Russian PresidentVladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting in Kazan.[15] The presidents affirmed that theChina–Russia relations are profound and unchanging even in the current turbulent geo-political situation,[16] and agreed that they must persist in advancing the comprehensive integration of theBelt and Road Initiative with theEurasian Economic Union, therefore facilitating and bolstering the high-quality advancement of their economies. The parties concurred that, in light of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of theUnited Nations and the 80th anniversary of the victory inWorld War II in 2025, China and the Russian Federation will persist in enhancing their comprehensive strategic cooperation and upholding the international system centered on the United Nations.[17] The participants articulated their intention to enhance the BRICS cooperation framework and to achieve "Greater BRICS Cooperation".[18][19]
Russia expressed interests in an alternative international payment solutions among BRICS nation to avoidUS secondary sanctions.[20]
PM Narendra Modi meeting leader Xi Jinping at the 16th BRICS Summit
Indian PMNarendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held their first formal bilateral meeting in five years, since thedeadly clash between militaries of the two nations in 2020.[21] The leaders declared they have reached a deal resolving a four-year stand-off, following by complete disengagement of troops.[22] President Xi emphasized the importance of the two ancientcivilizations in the global south, statingIndia-China relations will set an example for other emerging nations.[23][24]
Modi stated that sustaining steady development ofIndia–China relations is crucial for both nations and their populations, impacting the welfare and future of 2.8 billion individuals, and is also significant for regional and global peace and stability.[25] China and India regard this meeting as constructive and significant, agreeing to approach China-India ties from a strategic and long-term perspective to prevent individual issues from impacting the overall relationship between the two nations.[26][27]
South African PresidentCyril Ramaphosa held bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin where he called Russia a "valued ally" for its support duringapartheid.[31][32]
Indian prime minister Modi and South African president Ramaphosa chose to attend the BRICs summit instead of the2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which was held the same week inSamoa.The Independent observed that this is a sign the twoCommonwealth of Nations states "place greater weight on maintaining relations with China and Russia than on the more diffuse attractions ofCHOGM".[42]
Two days before the start of the summit, Brazilian presidentLula da Silva announced that he would not be attending in person due to a minor brain hemorrhage following a fall. However, he announced he would participate via videoconferencing. Foreign ministerMauro Vieira led the Brazilian delegation in place of da Silva.[43]
Plenary session of the BRICS Summit in the OutreachThe heads of delegations attending the BRICS Summit in Kazan pose for photographsArmenian Prime MinisterNikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani PresidentIlham Aliyev and UAE PresidentMohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanVladimir Putin meeting Egyptian PresidentAbdel Fattah el-Sisi
The summit sparked significant controversy, particularly surrounding UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Critics, including political scientistAlexander J. Motyl in his article published onThe Hill, argue that Guterres’s cordial interaction with Putin, whom the International Criminal Court has charged with war crimes, undermines the moral authority of the United Nations.[72] Motyl and others contend that Guterres’s actions implicitly endorse Putin's aggression in Ukraine, weakening both the UN’s credibility and its position on global justice. Ukrainian journalist Ihor Petrenko echoes this sentiment, condemning Guterres for failing to challenge Putin’s dismissive rhetoric regarding the war.[73] In contrast, scholars like Bahauddin Foizee defend Guterres's engagement with controversial leaders as necessary for maintaining diplomatic channels and fostering peace.[74][75][76][77][78][79] Foizee suggests that excluding Russia from international discussions could hinder the UN's broader peace efforts. Meanwhile, Lithuanian leaders, including Prime MinisterIngrida Šimonytė and Foreign MinisterGabrielius Landsbergis, criticized Guterres for perceived moral inconsistency, noting his attendance at the BRICS summit with Putin and Belarusian President Lukashenko despite not attending a Ukraine-focused peace summit in Switzerland earlier.[80][81] This, they argued, damages Guterres credibility as an impartial mediator. This debate highlights the complex balance between moral leadership and pragmatic diplomacy in a divided global landscape.[b]
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