The first BRICS Sherpas meeting in Brasilia under Brazil’s presidency emphasized multilateralism and cooperation among Global South nations, setting the stage for the July summit in Rio de Janeiro. Key themes included enhancing institutional capacities and local currency payment strategies while confronting unilateralism amid global changes. President Lula and Minister Vieira underscored the bloc’s vital role in the evolving global landscape.
On February 24-25, Brasilia hosted the inaugural BRICS Sherpas meeting under Brazilian leadership at the Itamaraty Palace, gathering delegates from all 11 member nations. This meeting is pivotal for paving the way towards the upcoming summit scheduled in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, emphasizing an ambitious agenda aimed at reinforcing multilateralism and collaboration among countries of the Global South.
In his opening remarks, Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mauro Vieira, highlighted the importance of BRICS amid global changes, stating, “It is a great honour to welcome you to this inaugural meeting of the Brazilian BRICS Presidency. We are gathered in a crucial moment — of profound transformations, in which the principles of multilateralism and cooperation are being tested by crises that demand urgent and collective action.” He asserted that a stronger multilateral approach is essential to address the ongoing crises in international governance, advocating for enhanced representation of emerging economies.
This meeting is significant as it follows last year’s major expansion of BRICS, which now includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia, alongside the original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Under Brazil’s presidency, the focus will be on fostering collaboration with the Global South and addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges in six priority areas: health, trade, climate change, artificial intelligence, reforming multilateral security systems, and enhancing institutional capacity.
Ambassador Celso Amorim, the Head Adviser to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressed a vision for BRICS as a collaborative platform for developing nations on various fronts, including energy and security. He countered perceptions of the bloc being anti-West, stating, “How can anyone say that Brazil is against the West when we have just concluded an agreement with the European Union [Mercosur-EU deal]? There is no point. Being subordinated to a particular leading country, we don’t want that.”
On the second day of the meeting, President Lula lauded BRICS as a force for positive change, emphasizing coordinated actions for upcoming significant events such as the G20 under South Africa’s leadership and COP30 in Brazil. He stressed the need for multilateralism and cautioned against unilateralism that disrupts the international order, advocating for a collaborative effort toward peace and security.
President Lula also acknowledged the importance of local currency payments among BRICS nations to mitigate economic vulnerabilities and rise against protectionism. Although earlier discussions on a common BRICS currency have been set aside, there is now stronger advocacy for expanding existing bilateral payment strategies within the group, as ongoing sanctions create pressure primarily on nations like Iran and Russia to reduce their dependency on the US dollar.
The first BRICS Sherpas meeting under Brazil’s leadership laid out a comprehensive agenda focusing on enhancing cooperation among Global South nations and reforming global governance structures. The meeting underscored the importance of multilateralism in addressing crises while emphasizing economic integration and local currency utilization. As BRICS continues to adapt and expand its membership, the bloc aims to play a pivotal role in creating a fair and sustainable global order.
Original Source: www.intellinews.com
