Mauro Vieira, who heads the delegation, arrives in Russia for the BRICS meeting

Chosen to lead the Brazilian delegation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, arrived this Monday morning (21) in Kazan, Russia, where the BRICS summit meeting will be held. The meeting starts this Tuesday (22) and runs until next Thursday (24).

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva suffered a domestic accident on Saturday (19) and doctors advised him not to take long trips. Lula will participate in the meeting of heads of state via videoconference.

According to the minister, around 30 countries have already expressed interest in joining the group. The discussion about the entry of these new nations and how this will be done will be defined during the summit in Russia.

“It will be a very important meeting. At this meeting, the way in which this expansion will continue to happen will be discussed and decided”, said Vieira in an interview with EBC.

Read more: Lula suffers a minor accident and will participate in the Brics Summit via videoconference

“BRICS is a very important and very interesting platform, starting with five countries that gave rise to the acronym, but expanding to other important actors in the international community at this time. It is another area for dialogue. Dialogue between these different platforms will only contribute to better understanding between nations”, he explained.

Brazil will assume the presidency of the bloc in 2025. “Next year, Brazil will have two major events, two major presidencies: that of the BRICS and then COP30. These are two major challenges, not only for Brazilian diplomacy, but for the entire government. These are two huge productions”, said the minister last week to EBC.

Brazil will assume, in 2025, for the third time the presidency of the group formed by Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran.

The first took place in 2014 and the second in 2019. The third would be in 2024, but Brazil and Russia exchanged the years of presidency on account of the G20 on Brazilian territory.

Throughout the year, a series of working group meetings are held in the country that presides over the bloc. The country that holds the rotating presidency also hosts the summit. In 2025, Brasília will host the Summit, on a date to be defined.