Decoding BRICS – Beginning of a New World Order

In the beautiful, fully booked “Moot Court” at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, we discussed yesterday with outstanding experts, diplomats, think tankers, and policy experts the role of BRICS in the future world order. In five panels and two keynote speeches, our aim was to provide much-needed information and debate on the nature of BRICS, its contributions to global trade, security, climate change governance, and what we should expect from an expanded and expanding BRICS platform.

I, Miriam Prys, had the honor to organize and moderate an outstanding (and surprisingly entertaining) panel on the theme “Will BRICS make the world more secure?” together with Happymon Jacob, Hürcan Asli Aksoy and Mohamed Cassimjee, and I would like to thank them again for their fascinating and at times controversial discussion.

As with all good conferences, it answered many questions, but raised even more. We critically debated – and also disagreed on - the nature of the impact of a growing BRICS group, its future, and, most importantly, its influence on the possibility and outcomes of international cooperation during these volatile times. However, agreement among our experts prevailed that – at least for most of the BRICS members and partners – BRICS does not represent a move against the West, but rather an aspirational move of “empowerment” against its contested dominance. Yet, beyond that, uncertainties persist. Does BRICS have a positive, constructive agenda at all? Or is it mainly focused on what it doesn’t want? How may BRICS address the significant “trust gap” among its members? Does the Trump administration strengthen BRICS, or is it “accidentally aligning” with it in the disruption or destruction of international institutions? Or, more optimistically – and this is what I also agree with – do most BRICS members and potential members prefer not to create rigid blocs? Many of them see the coalition as a platform for reform but remain open to cooperating with Western countries and others on mutual concerns.

All of this shows that we need more analyses and research on the group’s activities and potential significance, its impact on world order, and – as a core interest – its ability to both hinder and strengthen multilateral solutions to global problems.

The conference offered a unique opportunity to address the role of the BRICS nations in the global economic and security order. Renowned experts, policymakers, and high-ranking representatives from business and academia discussed key questions about the future of the BRICS group. Focal points included topics such as Brazil’s potential role as a driving force for global climate protection, the impact of BRICS on German businesses in Asia, the group’s prospects for acting as a counterweight to the G7, and its significance for global security and the liberal world order. In addition to stimulating debates, the conference also provided a platform for exchange with international participants. 

For the agenda, speakers and moderator, have a look at the programme. Please click here to register.