Brazil starts presidency of BRICS focused on a new global order and multilateral reform

This Tuesday (25) and Wednesday (26), Brasilia hosts the first meeting of Sherpas (special enclosures) of BRICS under the Brazilian presidency. The meeting, led by ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, prepares the ground for the leader summit in July in Rio de Janeiro. With the presence of representatives from the 11 member countries and nine partner nations, the event discusses topics such as health cooperation, local currencies and artificial intelligence governance.

Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, opened the meeting highlighting the need for a new global governance that reflects the emerging multipolar world. In a speech at Itamaraty, Vieira emphasized that the block plays a crucial role in promoting a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable international order.

The chancellor highlighted in his opening speech: “BRICS should promote a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable world order. A multipolar world is a shared goal. ” In turn, Lyrio summed up, “Brics is not against the West, but in favor of a multipolar world.”

“BRICS incorporates the aspirations of the global south. Our role in the formation of the future has never been so significant. The recent expansion of the group of five to eleven members reinforces this release and positions us as an influential force in the reconfiguration of the international order, ”said the Brazilian chancellor.

Reform of Global Governance and Multipolarity

Vieira argued that global governance institutions, such as the UN Security Council and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), need to adapt to geopolitical and economic transformations. According to him, the BRICS should lead the movement by a broad and comprehensive reform of these institutions, ensuring greater representation for emerging countries.

With the recent adhesion of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia and others, BRICS now represents 49% of the world’s population, 39% of global GDP and 50% of planetary energy production. For Itamaraty, the expansion symbolizes “a global south that is no longer a spectator but architect of the international order.” The block presses for permanent seats on the UN Security Council and advocates alternative financial mechanisms, such as Novo Development Bank, which has already funded $ 33 billion in infrastructure projects.

“Humanitarian needs grow, but the international response follows fragmented and sometimes insufficient. If we want to face these challenges, we need a global security architecture that reflects contemporary realities, ”he said.

In a speech, Vieira criticized the “misleading” marked by protectionism and chains of fragmented supplies. “BRICS should resist this trend and defend open multilateral trade,” he said. The group also targets the reform of the international financial system, seen as outdated to deal with debts from emerging nations. Proposals include expanding loans to local currencies and reducing the domain of the IMF, whose decisions still reflect the geopolitics of the cold war.

Artificial Intelligence: Multilateral Regulation

The governance of artificial intelligence (IA) was also pointed out as a priority of the Brazilian presidency of BRICS. Vieira warned of the risks of a few countries dominated and defended a more inclusive and transparent global regulation model.

“AI cannot be dictated by a small group of actors, while the rest of the world is forced to adapt to rules that it has not helped formulate. We must guarantee an ethical IA development and aligned with the collective interests of humanity, ”he said.

Climate Justice and Sustainable Development

One of the critical points is the demand for climate financing. Vieira criticized the lack of financing for the adaptation and mitigation of climate impacts in the Global Southern countries and defended concrete measures to ensure fair transition to low carbon economies.

“Developing countries arouse the costs of a crisis that have not caused,” said Vieira, noting that the Global South suffers from extreme events, despite contributing little to historical emissions.

The Brazilian presidency proposes that international agreements guarantee resources for energy transition without sacrificing development goals. At the same time, the block wants to boost internal trade, today below potential: only 20% of members’ trade occurs with each other.

Trade between the BRICS and local coins

Vieira stressed the need to expand trade between BRICS countries, exploring trade facilitation mechanisms and expanding the use of local coins in transactions.

“Strengthening trade between our countries is essential to ensure greater economic autonomy and reducing dependence on financial systems dominated by few actors,” he said.

Priorities of the Brazilian presidency

BRICS’s Brazilian presidency listed six priority themes to 2025:

1. GLOBAL HEALTH COOPERATION: Ensure equitable access to medicines and strengthen public systems.
2. Trade and Finance: Expand use of local currencies and reduce dependence on the dollar.
3. Climate change: Require financing for adaptation in the global south.
4. AI Governance: Prevent technology from expanding inequalities and defending multilateral ethics.
5. Reforma Multilateral: Redesign institutions like UN and IMF.
6. Institutional development: Consolidate the block after historical expansion.

The Sherpas meeting ends on Wednesday (26) with expectation of advances in consensual areas, such as health and energy. However, thorny themes – such as AI governance and UN reform pressure – will require complex negotiations. Analysts point out that the success of the Brazilian presidency will depend on balanced disparate demands between traditional members (such as China and Russia) and new tickets (such as Saudi Arabia). Meanwhile, the shadow of geopolitical tensions, such as war in Ukraine and US-China rivalries, will test the bloc’s cohesion.

The first BRICS Sherpas Meeting continues until Wednesday (26), with the participation of delegations from the 11 Block Member Countries and Partner Nations Ambassadors. The meeting serves as a preparation for the BRICS leaders summit, scheduled for July 6 and 7, in Rio de Janeiro.