ASEAN Foundation chief says BRICS has shifted Global South from observers to architects of a multipolar order

The executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, Piti Srisangnam, told a TV BRICS interview that the emergence of the BRICS grouping has altered the role of countries in the Global South. According to his remarks, these nations are no longer peripheral participants but are now shaping the architecture of a multipolar international order.

Srisangnam highlighted that the collaborative mechanisms and economic initiatives launched by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have provided a platform for developing economies to assert greater influence in global governance. He suggested that the bloc’s emphasis on shared development goals and alternative financing options has empowered its members to move beyond the status of external observers.

The ASEAN Foundation, which works to promote regional cooperation and capacity building across Southeast Asia, views the shift as an opportunity for its member states to engage more actively with emerging powers. Srisangnam indicated that the changing dynamics could foster deeper South‑South partnerships and diversify diplomatic options for countries traditionally aligned with Western-led institutions.

While acknowledging the strategic significance of the BRICS alliance, the ASEAN Foundation official did not elaborate on specific policy outcomes or quantify the impact on trade, investment or political alignment. The comments were made in the context of a broader discussion on the evolving balance of power and the desire of Global South nations to play a more decisive role in shaping international norms.

The statement reflects a growing narrative among developing countries that the rise of alternative power blocs offers a pathway to greater agency in global affairs. Observers note that the BRICS platform continues to expand its outreach, inviting additional members and partners, which could further reinforce the trend described by Srisangnam.

Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Reuters World (Google News) — original source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxOU3Z1ZEsyUXFONmRpWnJlbGc3R1V0cjViRmJISkxvT2otUGhQMFY3aE1DSmx3amZkb0UyT25Xc3IxVUxvdXBvNFh1MjVNOHZERUtMS1U0Q0tkOWNaMkhmZk1JNXZHQ3lKOVBoZkVlNlFseDFhSDRNdTh3NVd0ZkdjV1p3R2lnRVNwbVpSTWwwV1ZyRDQwWjVjOXRDRktLb0NoazNlNXp4cERBVzhld0F2SXdObmhmcmJjSW9KWnBYWVNDMVkzWlI2cnpB?oc=5.