BRICS and the Sustainable Development Goals: An Alternative Model for the Global South?

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, represent a global framework for achieving economic, environmental, and social sustainability. While the ambition of the SDGs remains strong, concerns are mounting about the feasibility of meeting the 2030 deadline. Increasingly, the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – are positioning themselves as key players in accelerating progress towards these goals, offering an alternative approach to development finance and implementation.

The Growing Concerns Around SDG Financing

Warnings about the risk of missing the 2030 SDG targets have intensified in recent years. During the 2025 G20 foreign ministers meeting, under South Africa’s presidency, a central focus was the financing of SDG commitments. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono cautioned that an annual deficit of US$4 trillion could derail progress, citing a lack of sufficient interest from international financial organizations [1]. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed these concerns, noting that up to 85% of the SDGs are at risk of non-compliance due to factors like low economic growth and high public debt [1]. Brazil likewise voiced concerns about the withdrawal of commitments from international creditors supporting developing nations in combating climate change [1].

BRICS: A Fresh Development Paradigm

In 2024, during the BRICS Academic Forum, a new development concept emerged, prioritizing the energy transition and maximizing the leverage of renewable resources, including artificial intelligence, information technologies, and sustainable agriculture [1]. This approach frames the SDGs not as mere declarations, but as actionable investments driven by South-South cooperation. The core idea is for developing countries to turn into donors to themselves, rather than relying solely on traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA).

BRICS is actively creating an alternative financing mechanism for sustainable development, with the New Development Bank (NDB) playing a central role. The NDB strategically allocates long-term capital to sectors with high multiplier effects, such as clean energy, water supply, and social and environmental infrastructure [1]. Since 2015, these areas have been the focus of the bank’s project portfolio, directly contributing to SDGs 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and 13 (climate action) [1].

Infrastructure Development and SDG Implementation

As of 2024, the NDB has approved approximately $39 billion in projects aimed at developing the Global South. These funds have been used to increase clean energy capacity, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, construct housing, schools, and extensive transportation networks [1]. Beyond NDB-funded projects, large-scale infrastructure initiatives within BRICS nations, such as the Benban Solar Park in Egypt and India’s Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen program, are demonstrably contributing to SDG progress.

• Benban Solar Park (Egypt): This complex, with a total installed capacity of approximately 1.6 GW, supports SDGs 7 and 13 by diversifying Egypt’s energy matrix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels [1].
• Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen (India): This program subsidized the construction of approximately 90 million healthcare facilities between 2014 and 2019, contributing to SDGs 3 (health), 5 (gender equality), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 11 (sustainable cities and communities) [1].
• Sponge City Programme (China): This initiative, aimed at combating urban flooding and water scarcity, has demonstrated resilience in urban infrastructure, aligning with SDGs 11 and 13 [1].
• Sharjah Sustainable City (UAE): This urban community utilizes energy-efficient buildings, solar generation, and water reuse systems, offering a scalable model for sustainable urban development aligned with SDGs 11 and 12 [1].

The Social Dimension and BRICS Cooperation

BRICS nations face challenges in implementing certain SDGs, particularly those related to infectious diseases like tuberculosis, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and zoonoses. However, cooperation in health, through initiatives like the development of telemedicine and joint efforts to combat outbreaks, offers potential for positive results. The development of technologies within BRICS countries supports UN SDG 4 (quality education) through joint educational platforms and projects.

Digitalization is emerging as a pragmatic economic tool for BRICS, improving human capital and ensuring the sustainability of public finances. This digitalization also supports SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) through initiatives like India’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which provides access to banking services for millions, and similar programs in Brazil, China, and Russia [1].

BRICS and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

UN SDG 16, focused on peace, justice, and strong institutions, is foundational for sustainable development. During the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the need for strong international institutions to ensure that a multipolar world contributes to common prosperity [2]. BRICS is working to strengthen these institutions and promote intercultural dialogue, fostering a flexible agenda that allows for collective solutions and alternative development mechanisms for the Global South [1].

The BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy until 2025 defines the group’s work as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, representing 43% of the world’s population, 21% of global GDP, and significant portions of global trade and agricultural production [1].