Leaders of the BRICS group of major emerging economies are meeting in the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday for a two-day summit.

The BRICS acronym is derived from the initial letters of the founding member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

In early 2024, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates joined the group, while Indonesia entered in January.

Chaired by Brazil, the summit plans to address health policy, artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change.

But for the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending in person for the first time, sending Prime Minister Li Qiang in his place.

Nor will Russian President Vladimir Putin be attending as he is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022.

Brazil, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, would be required to enforce the arrest warrant.

The BRICS countries say they represent around 48.5% of the world’s population, 36% of global land area and 24% of global economic output.

The countries see themselves as a forum for cooperation between countries of the Global South.

The group aims to act as a counterweight to the Group of Seven (G7) of leading Western economic powers.