With the old global order in a heightened state of flux, driven by US President Donald Trump’s attacks on free trade, international organisations and human rights, small states like New Zealand are having to adjust their foreign policies and hedge their bets.

As long-term economic and diplomatic power shifts towards Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific, alternative multilateral groups are now growing in importance.

Foremost among these is the grouping known as Brics, a maturing – and potentially dominant – centre of global economic power. Whether New Zealand would consider joining is still moot, but the forum already includes major nations vital to the country’s future.

Joining Brics would not mean New Zealand needs to leave other multilateral institutions

Formed in September 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, the grouping had its first summit in June 2009, with South Africa joining in December 2010 – thus becoming Brics.

The core strategic logic of Brics is based on consensus and solidarity, not coercion, and to gain member benefits via collective strength. “We share the vision of inclusive growth and prosperity in the world,” as then Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh put it in 2009. “We stand for a rule-based, stable and predictable global order.”

Having substantial economies, populations, landmasses and ambitions underpinned this shared goal of a multipolar world, which now seems to be emerging by a different route due to Trump’s isolationist “America first” policies.

Strength in numbers

In 2012, motivated by mutual concerns over food and energy security, terrorism and climate change, Brics members signed the Delhi Declaration, stating: “we envision a future marked by global peace, economic and social progress … [with] strengthened representation of emerging and developing countries in the institutions of global governance.”