The Crisis of Multilateralism: The Power of Change in the Hands of BRICS
by Daniel Henrique Diniz
The Evolution of Multilateralism
Understood as a model that guides cooperation among three or more participants based on common and binding principles, multilateralism is nothing new: from the ancient military alliance of the Delian League to the Treaty of Westphalia and the Congress of Vienna, the logic of cooperation among actors has shaped the international order. Its peak came with the founding of the UN in 1945, after World War II, when it was consolidated as the institutional engine of peace and cooperation in various areas.
Since then, multilateralism has faced numerous challenges and transformations. The Cold War polarized decision-making; the oil crises of the 1970s revealed the vulnerability of interdependent economies; the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam called into question the authority of the UN; the 1997 Asian financial crisis exposed the limitations of financial institutions; and the rise of non-state actors reshaped the global political landscape. African decolonization, in turn, multiplied the voices within the international system, demanding new dynamics.
Even so, all of this has shown that although it undergoes crises, multilateralism is always capable of reinventing itself.
The New Crisis of Multilateralism
The current crisis, in turn, has taken on new contours. International institutions tasked with ensuring peace and security face the dilemma of addressing global threats through the principles of international law while remaining bound to outdated dynamics — as evidenced by the failed attempts to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict since 2023 and the stagnation of the UN Security Council.
In the economic realm, the adoption of a unilateralist and protectionist stance by the United States — the world’s largest economy — through the implementation of an aggressive tariff policy, reminiscent of the failed Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930, has global repercussions — reaching even remote regions such as the Heard and McDonald Islands.
According to the Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report by the WTO, published on April 16, the tariffs imposed by the U.S. since March are expected to cause a 0.2% decline in global merchandise trade in 2025. This impact could be deeper — up to 1.5% — if the temporary suspension ends and the escalation continues to fuel uncertainty in global trade policies. North America, the epicenter of the measure, is projected to see significant declines: 12.6% in exports and 9.6% in imports.
For developing countries, the effects are no less severe. The same publication indicates that South America will experience a 0.8% contraction, Asia 1.7%, while Africa and the Middle East — with more fragile productive structures — are expected to post only marginal growth of 0.1%. In regions where foreign trade is a key driver of development, these figures represent more than mere statistics: they are direct threats to economic stability and job creation.
The tariff war initiated by the U.S. has the potential to harm not only the country itself but also the entire world. The construction of a new era of American unilateralism could break the multilateralism that the U.S. itself helped establish in the last century, creating space for fragmentation and global risks.
Together, the fragility of the UN, the inefficiency of the WTO, and unilateral actions create an environment of instability that could lead to both economic ruptures and armed conflicts. When international cooperation fails, the sense of insecurity grows — and with it, the risk of decisions driven by fear or distrust. Multilateralism, as we know it, is under attack — and needs to be urgently renewed.
A Strategic Window of Opportunity
In the face of this scenario of exhaustion, BRICS presents itself as a concrete alternative for the restructuring of international institutions and organizations. The current crisis, though concerning, also opens the door for a fairer reconfiguration of global governance — and BRICS emerges as a central actor in this process of transformation.
According to the Brazilian BRICS Presidency’s Statement, the forum is committed to a fair, just, democratic, and balanced multipolar order. The grouping arrives in Rio de Janeiro in July, under Brasil's presidency, for its XVII Summit. Guided by the slogan “Strengthening Cooperation in the Global South for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” Brasil proposes to focus political attention, among four other areas, on discussions about the Reform of the Multilateral Architecture of Peace and Security, and on Trade, Investment, and Finance.
In the political realm, recent actions reinforce this role. Brasil and China proposed a joint peace initiative for the conflict in Ukraine. The United Arab Emirates acted as mediators in the release of prisoners. Saudi Arabia launched the Global Alliance for a Two-State Solution. And in March, BRICS representatives and those from the Middle East reaffirmed, in Brasilia, their commitment to a peaceful solution based on international law for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These gestures demonstrate a group committed to dialogue and diplomacy.
These examples highlight the group's commitment to promoting international peace and security through diplomacy and cooperation. Despite internal differences, BRICS has shown the ability to converge on key agendas, especially when it comes to defending multilateralism, dialogue, and strengthening the voice of the Global South.
In the economic realm, the group advocates for a review of the governance of the Bretton Woods institutions — such as the IMF, the World Bank, and the International Development Association — in order to ensure greater representativeness for developing countries. At the same time, it seeks to consolidate its own financial instruments created within the bloc: the New Development Bank (NDB), which focuses on financing sustainable and infrastructure projects, and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), designed to offer support to members in times of currency pressure. The Brazilian presidency has also proposed that BRICS advance in building a common position on the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO), strengthening the collective commitment to a more balanced, transparent, and open global trade system, which values economic multilateralism as the foundation for development.
The NDB, founded in 2014, already shows solid results. According to the Evaluation Lens report (December 2024), nearly all of the 11 projects assessed received "strongly satisfactory" ratings in impact, sustainability, and efficiency — demonstrating that it is possible to create effective institutions outside traditional power centers.
BRICS as a Proposal for the Future
In light of the global scenario, the Brazilian BRICS presidency proposes concrete pathways for a fairer multilateralism. By aligning its actions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the group demonstrates that it is not just about defending the Global South but about offering global solutions based on equity, cooperation, and shared responsibility.
The tariff war imposed by the U.S. highlights the limits of a system that, in the face of crises, fails to coordinate solutions. The Security Council remains paralyzed. In this vacuum, BRICS does not position itself as opposition, but as a realistic alternative. Its proposals for UN reform, modernization of economic governance, and institutional strengthening point to a new multilateralism: more inclusive, effective, and connected to the challenges of the 21st century.
While some build walls, BRICS builds bridges. The dispute is ongoing — and its outcome could define the future of the international order. It is up to emerging nations, like BRICS, to lead the transition to a system where everyone has a voice and a place at the table of global decisions.
References
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Daniel Henrique Diniz
Redator-Chefe na Cosmopolíticos
Graduando em Relações Internacionais - UEPB
danielhenriquediniz2022@gmail.com