Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized the significant contributions of the BRICS cooperation mechanism to global economic development and multilateralism at the opening session of the BRICS Business Forum 2025 on Saturday.
The forum, held in Rio de Janeiro, brought together participants to deliberate on topics including sustainable economic development, food security, energy transition, and digital economy of BRICS countries.
Lula stated that 40 percent of the global GDP is contributed by BRICS countries, with the overall GDP growth of BRICS countries reaching four percent in 2024, significantly exceeding the global average of 3.3 percent.
The Brazilian president said the BRICS mechanism will make more contributions to the world.
"As global protectionism is on the rise, emerging economies should jointly defend the global multilateral trading system and reshape the international financial architecture. The BRICS cooperation mechanism will continue to provide guarantees for a better life for the people," Lula said.
Lula also spoke highly of the significant contribution of the New Development Bank (NDB) to the international financial system.
Five BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- established the NDB in 2014. Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB officially began operations in 2015 to fulfill its mission of mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS member nations, as well as other emerging-market economies and developing countries.
The 17th BRICS Summit is being held Sunday and Monday in Rio de Janeiro. As the rotating chair of the bloc, Brazil is hosting the summit under the banner of "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance".
Brazilian president hails BRICS mechanism for advancing global economic development
Brazilian president hails BRICS mechanism for advancing global economic development
Brazilian president hails BRICS mechanism for advancing global economic development
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
