China’s President Xi Jinping used his two addresses to the BRICS Summit—the first to the plenary of members on Sept. 12, the second to the expanded BRICS-Plus gathering on Sept. 13—to both evaluate the progress made by the BRICS in its first 20 years of existence, and to make a series of concrete proposals of where the grouping should go next. China will assume the rotating presidency of the BRICS for 2027.

In his first address, Xi emphasized the BRICS’s pioneering role. “Standing at the forefront of the Global South, we BRICS countries have upheld independence, actively explored development paths suited to our respective national conditions, and set a fine example of emerging markets and developing countries seeking strength through unity.” He noted that the world today is gravely lacking peace and development, and added: “For the exact purpose of addressing these deficits and building a better world, I have put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative… [to] work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Xi then presented what the Chinese media has called his “four pioneers:” “First, BRICS should be a pioneer in advancing innovation-driven development… Second, BRICS should be a pioneer in upholding peace and stability… We should act on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.” He specifically mentioned the Middle East crisis: “The situation in the Middle East remains complex and fluid… The relevant parties should keep to the direction of political settlement, and work for a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire. Attention should be paid to addressing the problems at the source, rebuilding trust between regional countries, and establishing a new security architecture. The Palestinian question is always at the core of the Middle East issue, and the fundamental way forward is to implement the two-state solution and realize peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel…

“Third, BRICS should be a pioneer in facilitating mutual learning between civilizations… BRICS should be a garden of inclusive coexistence that allows various civilizations to flourish. We should promote the common values of humanity, and advocate exchange, mutual learning and harmonious coexistence between civilizations…

“Fourth, BRICS should be a pioneer in reforming and improving global governance.”

Xi concluded his first speech by emphasizing that “Together, we will usher in the third golden decade of BRICS cooperation, and open up a bright prospect of shared prosperity and progress.”