BRICS in major role of global governance

Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 5, 2017. Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Jacob Zuma, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Guinean President Alpha Conde, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attended the dialogue. [Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Duo]

Covering over 60 percent of the world population, the BRICS countries have put global governance on high agenda at this year's summit in Xiamen. 

With BRICS continuing to establish itself in the international arena, observers are suggesting the grouping is going to be a larger, more influential actor in international affairs in the years to come. 

CRI's Yang Guang with more from Xiamen. 

BRICS countries' voices in the international arena have been increasing over the years, with the group continually advocating for a more equitable global governance system. 

As the BRICS summit wrapped up in Xiamen, Chinese President Xi Jinping has suggested that BRICS has incorporated a wide range of international affairs into its agenda since this year. 

"We BRICS leaders believe that it is in our common interests to deepen political and security cooperation and enhance mutual strategic trust. It is also what international community expects us to do. Since the start of this year, we have had in-depth exchange of views and reached important consensus on such issues as the international situation, global governance, international and regional hotspots and national security and development," said President Xi.

Xi Jinping also says the 5 member nations will continue to strive for world peace and stability. 

"We are making steady progress in our cooperation on counter-terrorism, cyber security, peacekeeping and the Middle East. All these efforts have raised the profile of BRICS. We support the push for increased political and security cooperation. And we will play our part to contribute more to world peace and stability," said President Xi.

Chen Fengying, former Director of the Institute for the World Economy with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, says BRICS has broadened its vision on global governance to become a prominent force on the world political stage.

"In the BRICS Xiamen declaration, global governance is under the agenda of global peace and development. Issues including the UN security council, international organisations, anti-terrorism and international peace have all been covered and specifically discussed. In particular, the regional hotspot security issues have dominated the security discussiosn, which I think is a highlight of the consensus that has been developed at the meeting. This all suggests that BRICS has already adopted a broad mindset of international affairs," said Chen.

In the BRICS Xiamen Declaration released on Monday, leaders have vowed to further enhance the voice of BRICS on the international stage. 

It expresses the strong support for multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in international affairs.