Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

It was quite cold in Kazan in October. Yet this did not dampen the participants' enthusiasm for BRICS as they gathered in the "Istanbul of the Volga River" for the first grand reunion of the BRICS family following its historic expansion.

Over the past 18 years, BRICS has evolved from a concept into a vibrant grouping for the Global South and grown ever stronger. It has become an essential player on the international stage. 

Notably, BRICS successfully expanded its membership last year, with about 30 countries having shown a strong interest in joining the group. BRICS has emerged as a pivotal platform for unity and cooperation among emerging market and developing countries (EMDCs) in today's world. 

What has brought BRICS countries together and made it ever more attractive to other Global South countries? 

Independence and unity. Committed to mutual respect for each other's development paths and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, BRICS embodies the Global South's efforts to safeguard their right to development and to explore pathways to modernization, demonstrating the power of the collective awakening of developing countries keen to realize progress and development. 

In response to acts of bullying and coercion by certain world powers, who, driven by their own geopolitical agenda, have attempted to hold back EMDCs' development and stoke bloc confrontation, BRICS has acted as a unifying force in defending the common interests of Global South countries. 

Win-win and mutual benefit. This is the hallmark of BRICS cooperation. Committed to advancing common development in the Global South and beyond, BRICS countries have put in place such mechanisms as the New Development Bank, BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution and BRICS Digital Economy Partnership Framework. These mechanisms are all aimed at helping and supporting each other and fellow developing countries in realizing their development aspirations.

Prior to the expansion, BRICS countries already contributed over 50 percent of the global growth. Now BRICS represents 45 percent of the world's population, nearly 35 percent of the global economic output, and 20 percent of global trade. Its role to further drive global development cannot be overlooked.

Peace and justice. BRICS is a leading voice for peace and justice in this world of turbulence and transformation. It actively practices true multilateralism and strives for a just and equitable global governance system to ensure that Global South countries can equally participate in and play an active role in international affairs. It has worked proactively to facilitate peaceful settlement of international and regional hotspot issues. For instance, it held an extraordinary virtual summit on the Palestine-Israel issue; China and Brazil, two BRICS members, jointly issued a six-point consensus on the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and launched, together with other Global South countries, the group of Friends for Peace on the issue. Both are gaining increasing international support.

Inclusiveness and amity. BRICS is founded on ancient wisdom across continents, from Asia's philosophy of harmony in diversity and inclusiveness, Mesopotamia's pursuit of peace and tolerance, to the Ubuntu spirit of collectivism in Africa, and the concept of "Sumak Kawsay" or seeking a better life in Latin America. They all reflect the broadly shared wisdom of treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while reserving differences. 

With new partner countries, BRICS represents even greater civilizational diversity, and is in a better position to promote all-round and multi-tiered people-to-people and cultural exchanges for deeper understanding, thereby setting a fine example of harmonious coexistence among countries with different histories, cultures and social systems.

Many hands make light work. Committed to high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, BRICS countries will continue to work for the common good of humanity and build, BRICS by BRICS, a community with a shared future for mankind.

The author is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News, Global Times, China Daily, CGTN etc. He can be reached at xinping604@gmail.com.