As leaders prepare to gather for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, a leading Chinese scholar says the grouping's push for greater Global South representation is gaining traction, yet global governance system reform remains a complex endeavor.
Shen Yi, professor and director of the Center for BRICS Studies at Fudan University, made the remarks in an interview with CGTN ahead of the summit, which runs from Saturday to Sunday and will bring together leaders from BRICS member and partner countries as well as outreach invitees.
"The demand for greater representation of the developing countries is not simply repeated statements at international meetings. It reflects a fundamental change in the global economic landscape. Over recent decades, emerging markets and developing countries have become major contributors to global economic growth, trade, and investment. However, international governance structures have not always fully reflected these changes," he said.
That effort has already produced results, he noted. International financial institutions have undertaken reforms to increase the participation and representativeness of emerging economies, while more inclusive bodies such as the G20 have provided a broader platform for developed and developing countries to jointly address major global economic challenges. The United Nations, as the center of the current international system, has also seen growing recognition for developing countries.
Despite those gains, Shen stressed that reforming the global governance system remains a complex endeavor.
"Of course, the progress of this reform of international institutions is a very complex process. It requires dialogue, negotiations, and consensus among many countries. China's position is clear: global governance should become more representative, fair, and more effective. The goal is not to replace one group of countries with another, but to ensure that all these countries, especially the developing countries, have meaningful voices in these international affairs," he said.
Holding a similar vision, China has committed to promoting a fair and inclusive global governance system, with its work through BRICS, among all of the country's multilateral diplomatic and economic efforts, serving as a critical and uniquely valuable component, Shen said.
"China believes that building more balanced and inclusive international economic orders requires cooperation through multiple platforms. Different mechanisms have different roles and functions. But BRICS has several very unique contributions in that context. The first, it provides a platform for emerging economies to strengthen coordination and, particularly, practical cooperation in areas such as trade, financial innovation, and sustainable development. The second, BRICS promotes South-South cooperation. Many developing countries face similar challenges, including infrastructure development, technological transformations, and economic modernizations. Cooperation among BRICS member countries can provide valuable experience and opportunities. The third, BRICS contributes to global governance reforms by strengthening the voice and participation of emerging markets and developing countries," he said.
BRICS push for greater Global South voice gains traction: Chinese expert
BRICS push for greater Global South voice gains traction: Chinese expert
