Bloc has big role in defending multilateralism

The leaders of emerging and developing countries attending the annual BRICS summit should send a collective message to Washington, letting it know they oppose disruptive protectionism, a group of experts said.

They said the leaders will seek consensus on modernizing their economies amid the ongoing worldwide technological revolution.

The group provided their analysis of the summit, which runs through Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa. Some other African countries also are attending.