The 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro will mark a historic turning point for global health cooperation as Vietnam joins the expanded coalition under an innovative "11+10" partnership framework. Representing nearly half of humanity and over 50% of global economic growth, this revitalized bloc aims to address systemic healthcare disparities exposed by recent crises.
A New Era of Collective Action
The summit's health equity agenda responds to stark realities revealed by COVID-19, where Africa's vaccination rate remained at 4.1% in mid-2022 while wealthier nations stockpiled doses. With geopolitical tensions complicating multilateral efforts, BRICS members are positioning themselves as catalysts for structural reform in medical resource distribution.
Pioneering Solutions for Persistent Challenges
Key proposals from June's Third BRICS Sherpas Meeting include a groundbreaking initiative to combat poverty-related diseases through cross-border research partnerships. The bloc also plans to establish unified standards for AI applications in healthcare – a critical move as artificial intelligence reshapes medical diagnostics and treatment protocols.
This expanded BRICS framework demonstrates growing South-South cooperation, with Vietnam's inclusion adding fresh momentum to address what UN officials describe as "the defining health justice challenge of our generation."
