Rio de Janeiro is buzzing as leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and five new member nations gather for the 17th BRICS Summit. Think of it as the Avengers assembling for global economics—but with fewer capes and more policy debates. 🦸♂️💼
Since its 2001 debut in a Goldman Sachs report, BRICS has evolved from a catchy acronym to a powerhouse representing 41% of global GDP (in PPP terms) by 2025. With Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia now on board, the bloc covers 40% of the world’s population and 35% of its land. Talk about a glow-up! 💪
Here’s the tea: BRICS economies are growing faster (3.4% in 2024) than the global average (2.8%), per IMF data. They also drive 24% of international trade. But it’s not just about money—BRICS is becoming the ultimate hype squad for multipolarity, challenging old-school power structures and amplifying the Global South’s voice. 🌱✨
As the summit kicks off, all eyes are on how this 'teenage' bloc (17 years young!) will navigate its adulting phase. Spoiler: Inclusive growth and climate action are likely on the syllabus. 📈🌱
