Brazil hosted the first BRICS Sherpas meeting under its presidency at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia on February 24-25 in a significant step in preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled for July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro. The event brought together representatives from all 11 member countries, marking the start of an ambitious agenda focused on strengthening multilateralism and promoting cooperation among Global South nations.
In his opening remarks, Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mauro Vieira, emphasized the importance of the BRICS bloc in a time of global transformation. He pointed out that multilateralism is under strain due to numerous crises, calling for stronger and more inclusive international cooperation.
“The response to the crisis of multilateralism is more multilateralism, stronger and more inclusive in all spheres,” Vieira said. He highlighted that BRICS has a crucial role to play in promoting a fairer and more sustainable world order, advocating for a multipolar global system.
The meeting took place after the significant expansion of the BRICS group in 2023, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia joining the original five members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This expansion broadens the bloc’s influence and sets the stage for more robust discussions on global governance reform, as developing nations seek greater representation in decision-making processes.
The Brazilian presidency, under the leadership of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has outlined several priorities, including cooperation with the Global South and focusing on social, economic, and environmental development. The country’s presidency will emphasize six key areas: health, trade, climate change, artificial intelligence, multilateral security reform, and institutional strengthening of BRICS.
Ambassador Celso Amorim, the head adviser to President Lula, underscored BRICS’s role as a platform for developing nations to coordinate efforts in energy, monetary policy, and peace and security. Amorim also addressed concerns about BRICS being anti-Western, citing Brazil’s recent agreement with the European Union as evidence of the bloc’s broad diplomatic engagement.
On the second day of the meeting, President Lula delivered an optimistic speech, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to advance peace and security. He warned against the dangers of unilateralism and called for stronger coordination among BRICS countries to tackle global challenges, including rising protectionism. Lula’s push for expanding local currency payment options within the bloc aims to reduce economic vulnerabilities and enhance economic integration, particularly in light of recent tariff threats from the United States.
While there have been discussions about a potential BRICS common currency, Lula’s focus remains on expanding existing bilateral payment mechanisms, with the idea of a shared currency not currently on the agenda. This stance contrasts with nations like Iran and Russia, which are under significant pressure to move away from the US dollar due to sanctions. The ongoing discussions highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of BRICS’s role in global economic and political affairs.
