IGNOU BOOK | Administrative System in BRICS [BPAE-143] ENGLISH MEDIUM

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Administrative System in BRICS — BPAE-143

BRICS is a group of major emerging economies. The term originally referred to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa; the group has subsequently expanded. Its administrative system is based on cooperation among member governments rather than a single central authority.

1. Nature of the Administrative System

BRICS does not have a permanent central government or a supranational bureaucracy like the European Union. Member countries remain sovereign and independently manage their domestic administration.

Its administration mainly works through:

• Summits of national leaders
• Meetings of ministers and senior officials
• Working groups and committees
• Intergovernmental cooperation
• Institutions created by BRICS countries

2. BRICS Summit

The BRICS Summit is the highest-level decision-making forum. Heads of government or state meet to discuss issues such as:

• Economic cooperation
• Trade and investment
• International finance
• Development
• Technology
• Health
• Climate and energy
• International political issues

Important decisions are generally reached through consultation and consensus.

3. Rotating Presidency

BRICS follows a rotating presidency. One member country takes responsibility for coordinating BRICS activities for a particular year.

The country holding the presidency generally:

• Organises the BRICS Summit
• Chairs important meetings
• Sets priorities for the year's programme
• Coordinates ministerial and official-level meetings
• Helps prepare joint declarations and initiatives

4. Ministerial Meetings

Different ministers of member countries meet regularly to coordinate policies. Examples include meetings of:

• Foreign ministers
• Finance ministers
• Agriculture ministers
• Health ministers
• Education ministers
• Science and technology ministers

These meetings help convert broad decisions of the leaders into programmes and areas of cooperation.

5. Working Groups and Officials

BRICS also operates through working groups, committees and meetings of senior officials. These bodies deal with specific subjects and prepare proposals for consideration by ministers and leaders.

They provide continuity between annual summits.