The fifth BRICS summit, to be held in Durban, South Africa, on March 26 and 27, is a meeting of five countries that represent the emerging developing world at a time when the international order is undergoing a change.

After a decade of joint efforts, the BRICS mechanism is making sustainable contributions to the world. From the first BRIC summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, before South Africa became a member, through those held in Brazil, China and India, the group has focused on common interests while shelving differences over strategic plans, aims and obligations.

BRICS member states have different social systems and follow different ideologies. But because of their mutual trust and respect, and shared interests they hold similar views on how to address the pressing issues obstructing global development.