China will assume the BRICS chairmanship next year and host the 19th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in 2027. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the decision at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, the capital of India.
The city in China where the summit will be held has not yet been announced.
Summits hosted by China
China has previously hosted three BRICS summits. It first hosted the 3rd BRICS Leaders’ Summit in 2011 in Sanya, Hainan Province, where the five-member core group of the bloc was formed with South Africa’s participation.
At the 9th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, held in 2017 in Xiamen, Fujian Province, the group decided to implement an expanded cooperation model known as “BRICS Plus,” which enabled leaders of countries outside the group to be invited to the summits.
China most recently hosted the summit in 2022. The 14th BRICS Leaders’ Summit was held online, with proceedings moderated from Beijing, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the summit, Xi Jinping called for “more comprehensive and inclusive cooperation.” Six countries were invited to join the group in 2023 after that call.
An 11-member grouping
Founded in 2009 by China, Russia, Brazil and India under the name “BRIC,” BRICS emerged as a forum bringing together major emerging economies. The group became known as “BRICS” after South Africa joined in 2011.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined the grouping in 2024, while Indonesia joined in 2025. With these additions, BRICS became an 11-member grouping.
Following its expansion, BRICS represents approximately half of the world’s population and about 40 percent of global economic output.