Iran’s president slammed the UN Security Council and International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the BRICS summit, accusing them of losing effectiveness due to Western interference. He called for BRICS nations to reduce reliance on Western financial systems and push for a new global order. The president urged the bloc to strengthen alternative institutions and reshape international economic governance for greater justice and independence.
Iran Declares UN and IMF Ineffective, Advocates for BRICS-Driven World Order
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Iranian President Criticizes Western Influence at BRICS Summit
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the UN Security Council, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and human rights organizations for losing their effectiveness due to what he described as Western interference. During the BRICS Plus/Outreach plenary session at the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, held from Oct. 22-24 under Russia’s chairmanship, Pezeshkian stated:
Many international structures and mechanisms … such as the UN Security Council, IMF, and human rights organizations have lost their effectiveness.
He further noted that the future would belong to countries that lead in creating a new world order, emphasizing harmony and justice. The UN Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Iran has called on BRICS nations to reduce their dependence on Western financial systems, warning of the risks posed by such reliance. Pezeshkian urged the economic bloc to develop alternative financial structures and strengthen institutions like the BRICS New Development Bank to better support new members. He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to reshaping global economic governance. Ahead of the summit, Iranian Ambassador Kazem Jalali stressed the need for BRICS nations to establish an independent financial and banking system free from Western standards, which he argued harm Global South countries. Jalali also highlighted Iran’s support for Russia’s initiatives, including the creation of a BRICS single currency and the expansion of national currency payments within the bloc.
As BRICS continues to expand its influence globally, Pezeshkian’s comments reflect concerns about the effectiveness of longstanding international institutions. The summit provided a platform to highlight the role of the BRICS nations in shaping future geopolitical dynamics. Established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS expanded in 2011 to include South Africa. The latest expansion took place on Jan. 1, 2024, with Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ethiopia officially joining the group. The Kazan summit marked their first participation as full members of the association.
BRICS is increasingly seen as a rising force capable of reshaping global financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF. In July, the World Bank’s Executive Director for Russia predicted BRICS would soon dominate these bodies due to macroeconomic and demographic shifts favoring non-Western nations. A Zimbabwean professor recently emphasized the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) as a key alternative to the IMF, offering better financial terms to nations trapped in debt, like Zimbabwe. Cuba’s UN representative noted BRICS’ challenge to Western-led institutions, attracting countries like Cuba and Serbia with more equitable partnerships. Russia’s State Duma speaker added that BRICS is weakening U.S. and EU dominance, promoting cooperation that respects sovereignty.
