The 2019 Informal BRICS Leaders’ Meeting took place on June 28 in Osaka, Japan, in the context of the 14th G20 Summit. This meeting was an important occasion for the leaders of the BRICS countries, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, to engage in dialogue on a range of issues pertinent to their nations and the global community.

Osaka, known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and hearty street food, was a remarkable host city. As Japan’s third-largest city with a strong industrial foundation and one of the world’s most prominent port cities, it epitomizes the blend of culture and commerce. Osaka represented a dynamic background for these significant discussions, underscoring the growing importance of Asia in the global economic governance structure.

The informal BRICS meetings typically include assessments of ongoing economic development and cooperation within the group, and the 2019 meeting was particularly crucial in light of various global changes and challenges. The world was dealing with complex issues such as the unfolding US-China trade tensions, challenges to the multilateral trading system, climate change concerns following the 2015 Paris Agreement, and the increasing importance of digital economy and technology in global affairs.

During their meeting, the BRICS leaders likely explored strategies to promote fair and equitable international trade practices, resist protectionist tendencies, and to reform and strengthen multilateral institutions to make them more representative of the realities of the 21st century. With the global economy facing considerable headwinds, emphasis on innovation, sustainable growth, and the digital economy would have been salient themes discussed by the leaders.

The session also provided an occasion for the BRICS nations to coordinate their positions ahead of the full G20 talks, ensuring that their perspectives on financial stability, climate change actions, innovation, and sustainable development were given due weight during the broader Summit.

In addition, the meeting served as a precursor to the 11th BRICS Summit scheduled for November 2019 in Brasília, Brazil. It offered the potential to set the stage for collaboration on furthering the progress made by BRICS initiatives like the New Development Bank, which focuses on infrastructure and sustainable development projects within the BRICS countries and beyond.

In conclusion, the 2019 Informal BRICS Meeting in Osaka, Japan, was a strategic confluence of leaders from major emerging economies aimed at strengthening cooperation, shaping the global economic governance discourse, and presenting a united front on critical international issues during the G20 Leaders’ Summit. This platform illustrated an ongoing commitment by BRICS nations to have their voices heard in the quest for a more balanced and fair global economic order.