Summary
- Economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram said BRICS represents its members’ interests rather than the Global South as a whole.
- He said poorer developing countries do not necessarily share the priorities of BRICS members.
- Jomo warned that military spending, tariffs, sanctions and geopolitical rivalry are hurting developing economies.
- He called for a revived “NAM 2.0” centred on peace, development and greater strategic independence.
GEORGE TOWN, September 6 — BRICS should not be treated as the representative voice of the Global South because it primarily serves the interests of its own members, economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram said Saturday.
Speaking at the inaugural Penang Peace Dialogue, Jomo said poorer developing countries do not necessarily share the policy priorities of BRICS states.
He warned that rising military spending, tariffs, sanctions and geopolitical rivalry were increasing pressure on developing economies and could worsen global stagflation risks.
Jomo called instead for a revived “NAM 2.0” built around peace, development and strategic independence.
“The Global South has no interest in war,” he said, arguing that developing countries should avoid becoming subordinate to competing major-power blocs.
