Towards a Future for Brics+

The BRICS+ countries include the original five members of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, alongside the four new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi Arabia also invited to join.The Global South both as a concept and the loosely defined collection of countries has gained increasing traction in public and policy discourse. BRICS+ countries may become precipitously important in economic, trade, and financial terms, as well as in the interplay of geopolitics and other multilateral institutions. Amid the growing role these powers play in the global food and energy supply chains, academics cannot avoid engaging with and reflecting upon the past, present, and future of the BRICS+ countries. This compendium draws upon scholars across numerous continents, spheres, and disciplines, examining the future of BRICS+ in a rigorous and evidence-informed manner to provide a robust and accurate assessment of both the strengths and weaknesses of BRICS+.While the energy, financial, and supply chain complementarities between its original five members are comparatively evident, with the entry of four new countries, questions have inevitably arisen over the tenability and coherence of the grouping, as well as the extent to which internal rifts and divergences can be managed. Many non-BRICS+ nations and observers remain cautious of the viability and desirability of BRICS+ as a force that could counterbalance the conventionally defined G7 countries. Though the significance of the BRICS+ as a geopolitical force remains to be fully seen, understanding BRICS+ would prove vital for policymakers and businesses across the world.

About the Author :
Heiwai Tang is Victor and William Fung Professor in Economics and Director of the Asia Global Institute, HKU.Brian Wong Yue Shun is assistant professor at the Department of Philosophy, HKU.

Review :
'As the BRICS+ countries grow in prominence, some countries worry about them undermining their leadership and authority, while others see the BRICS+ as a way to counterbalance the G7 and keep it "honest". This essay collection is crucial for understanding the origin and growth of the BRICS+ and the possible trajectory of its evolution.' -George Yeo, former Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs, 2004-2011 'Of all uncertainties in the world today, one thing is clear - multi-polarization has dawned. But where is it heading? This book on the future of BRICS+ tells you why almost everyone in the Global South wants to catch the new train that is already moving, for fear of being late.' -Zhou Bo, Senior Colonel (retired), senior fellow at Tsinghua University, and author of Should the World Fear China? 'We are entering a new era of world history. Western domination is ending. The Global South is rising. But who will drive the Global South? The BRICS+ countries have the opportunity to do so. This timely and essential guide provides a nuanced, clear-eyed assessment of the promise - and possible pitfalls - of the BRICS+.' -Kishore Mahbubani, Asia Research Institute, NUS, and former President of the UN Security Council 'What happens when the two most populous nations, China and India, join together with a growing bloc of emerging powers? The BRICS nations articulate a new understanding of the international order. It is vital that we get to grips with the prospects of seismic global changes and a new Global South-led world. This is the almanac to get you started.' -Erik Solheim, former Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, and vice-president of the Global Coalition for Green Belt and Road