BRICS summit: leaders discuss economic recovery, Afghanistan

The thirteenth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit was held on Thursday, where leaders of the five nations met virtually, and discussed post COVID financial recovery, as well as the situation in Afghanistan.

The five-nation summit was chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

"Called for BRICS to contribute to post-COVID global recovery on the motto 'Build-back Resiliently, Innovatively, Credibly, and Sustainably," Modi said in a tweet. 

The theme of the summit, as chosen by India, was "Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus." 

A joint statement by the group stressed the importance of the global vaccination program,and emphasized on "science-based, and objective assessment of the safety, and efficacy of vaccines by regulators throughout the world." 

Stability in Afghanistan

Speaking on the situation in Afghanistan, Putin said Russia was "interested in stopping the flow of migration" and wanted Afghans to "live peaceful and dignified lives in their motherland." 

"Russia, just like its BRICS partners, consistently supports the establishment of the long-awaited peace and stability on the Afghan land," he added. 

The joint statement did not mention the newly-formed Taliban government in Afghanistan, but emphasized "the need to address the humanitarian situation and to uphold human rights, including those of women, children and minorities." The statement condemned recent attacks near the Hamid Karzai airport and denounced "terrorism in all its forms."

The five countries, which account for 24% of global economic output and 16% of of world trade, signed off on 74 different points in total, including what appeared to be criticism of bilateral sanctions, such as those imposed on BRICS members Russia and China by western powers like the US or the EU. 

"We reaffirm the sole authority of the UN Security Council for imposing sanctions and stress further the imperative of refraining from coercive measures not based on international law, in particular the UN Charter," the statement said. Clearing sanctions via the UN can be very difficult, as they must be approved at the Security Council, where any of the five permanent members — the UK, France, the US, Russia and China — can unilaterally block proposals.

BRICS consists of five major emerging economies with considerable regional and international influence. The group initially called BRIC was inaugurated in 2009. South Africa was added to the collective in 2010. Next year's summit will be hosted and chaired by China.