Foreign ministers from the BRICS group of developing nations failed to reach a joint communique on Tuesday after meeting in Rio de Janeiro, but chair Brazil issued a statement speaking out against trade protectionism.

Opposition from some African nations to United Nations Security Council reform blocked a joint declaration at a Brics foreign ministers' meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, exposing divisions as the bloc expands and undermining efforts by Brazil to project unity.

Foreign ministers from the BRICS group of developing nations failed to reach a joint communique on Tuesday after meeting in Rio de Janeiro, but chair Brazil issued a statement speaking out against trade protectionism.