At a virtual BRICS Summit hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday, an important consensus was reached: to firmly reject tariff bullying imposed by individual countries and to stabilize the global trade chain.

This summit arrived at a pivotal moment. The world is grappling with a rising tide of protectionism and economic coercion, where unilateral actions masquerade as fair competition. The very multilateralism that has underpinned global prosperity for decades is under an unprecedented threat. It is in this context that the BRICS nations, acting as a vanguard of the Global South and a leading voice for justice, must stand as a beacon of global cooperation and a bulwark against fragmentation.

The core message from the summit was unequivocal: Global prosperity cannot be built on a foundation of zero-sum games and the era of unilateral dominance is over. The world needs a new governance paradigm – one that is inclusive, equitable and just. This is precisely the spirit of the Global Governance Initiative.

This initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plus" meeting on September 1, is not meant to replace existing structures but has quickly demonstrated a powerful call to action.

From the SCO to BRICS, leaders of various countries recognize that the complex challenges we face today, from climate change and public health crises to economic instability and geopolitical tensions, demand collective solutions. It reaffirms the necessity for the Global South to have a stronger, more unified voice in shaping its own destiny and, by extension, the future of the world.

The BRICS response to global governance challenges

Today, the global governance system is facing unprecedented challenges. A single country is leveraging its existing advantages in finance, technology and trade rule-making to weaponize economic means, imposing economic coercion, technology blockades and unilateral sanctions on others. This strategy not only severely harms the development rights of nations in the Global South but also undermines the authority of international law and rules.

This summit is a collective response to this global governance dilemma. It represents the firm determination of Global South countries to pursue the right to self-development and defend their economic sovereignty.

As President Xi stated in his speech, with a combined economic output accounting for 30 percent of the world's total, BRICS countries have brought together a vast treasure trove of resources, industries and markets. We are no longer content with merely being the low end of the global industrial chain. Instead, we aim to join hands with developed countries as co-creators of rules, co-participants in innovation and co-contributors to global governance.

This practical cooperation among BRICS countries, particularly the deepening collaboration in the economic, trade and technological fields, sets a powerful example for other developing countries. This cooperation is not a zero-sum game but a mutually beneficial framework that delivers tangible benefits to all participants.

The coordinated efforts of BRICS countries offer important experience and inspiration for the transformation of the global governance system. It proves that a diverse group of countries with different social systems, cultural backgrounds and development stages can build an effective cooperation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. This model stands in stark contrast to the "exclusive clubs" and "exclusive alliances" advocated by some countries, providing a viable path toward a more multipolar world.

The global resonance of the BRICS voice

The consensus reached at this summit is a powerful rebuke of modern hegemonism and interventionism. Notably, the influence and resonance of the BRICS position have extended beyond the Global South, gaining traction and recognition even within some developed countries.

Concerns and opposition are growing in some European and other developed economies regarding the extreme practice of "decoupling." They recognize that supply chains built on political logic rather than economic sense risk diminishing their industrial competitiveness and weakening global economic resilience. When some countries try to protect domestic industries with tariff barriers, it often triggers retaliation, leading to escalating trade frictions with no real winners.

Further more, in addressing global challenges like climate change, energy transition and artificial intelligence governance, it is becoming increasingly clear that unilateralism and protectionism are ineffective and only create further division and uncertainty.

The firm support of BRICS for an international system centered on the United Nations, and its opposition to all forms of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, align with the rules-based international order advocated by many countries.

Looking ahead: Building a just new order

This summit is not merely a reaction against existing injustices; it is a proactive attempt to inject new vitality into the future global governance system. BRICS nations will continue to strengthen strategic communication and deepen cooperation in various fields. Through their actions, they will demonstrate that peaceful coexistence and mutual respect are the proper foundation for international relations, while mutual benefit and common development are the ultimate goals for global governance.

While the path to a new global governance paradigm may be challenging, the unified efforts of BRICS leaders show that any obstacle can be overcome through cooperation, solidarity and a shared vision.

The BRICS platform is unstoppably becoming an important mechanism for dialogue and cooperation with developed nations. It represents a more diversified and multipolar world trend, providing a complement and an alternative to traditional governance models.

The success of BRICS not only serves the interests of its member states but also contributes to a more balanced and stable world. It proves to the world that even different countries can find solutions to common challenges through dialogue instead of confrontation and through cooperation instead of exclusion, offering a valuable blueprint for all nations to strive for peace and development.

Pan Deng is vice president and Secretary-General of the Chinese National Association of Returned Scholars from Ibero-American and Caribbean countries and the director of the Latin America and Caribbean Region Law Center of China University of Political Science and Law.