The BRICS group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China at its first summit in 2009. The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as full members. This is the first leaders' summit to include Indonesia.

The growing BRICS group met in Brazil, advocating for reforms of Western institutions and multilateral diplomacy. Despite some leaders' absence, the bloc highlighted its role as a voice for developing nations.

BRICS countries have reached a joint declaration ahead of their leaders' summit in Rio de Janeiro, showing unity despite the group's growing diversity and complex geopolitical differences. Diplomats confirmed the agreement on Saturday,