South Africa
Source: iol.co.za

THE annual BRICS Summit, to be attended by heads of state, takes place in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro in early July. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is expanding at the speed of light.

At the 2023 BRICS Summit in South Africa, six more countries were accepted as members into BRICS. They were Ethiopia, Egypt, UAE, Iran, Qatar and Argentina. Argentina pulled out soon afterwards following an electoral victory by a pro-West Libertarian Party led by President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires.

Yet as things stand, up to 40 countries are knocking on the door of BRICS. They are led by the great Asian regional powerhouse, Indonesia. I paint a picture of the role of BRICS in global affairs to illustrate its emergence as a power of great significance.

The BRICS Summit in Brazil takes place at a time of extraordinary changes in geopolitics, underscored by the rapidly unfolding disintegration of Western hegemony that has held firm since the end of WWII in 1945.

The US, the major glue that has led the West as a united front through formations such as Nato, among others, has unleashed tariffs on Europe in a move that has shaken the foundation of the Western alliance. Under President Donald Trump, Washington’s main focus is to “Make America Great Again”, or “America First” foreign policy that has left the globalists reeling.

The scramble to keep together the crumbling cookie is a spectacle to watch. Just this week at the Nato summit at The Hague, Trump had to be cornered into grudgingly endorsing Nato’s Article 5, which refers to the principle of “an attack on one is an attack on all”. In fact, so desperate was Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte to have Trump not mess up the meeting that he called Trump “Daddy”.
For far too long, Europe has been scavenging on the US. “The European Union was born to screw the United States,” Trump lashed out in February this year. It is the EU to raise its budget spending on defence to at least 5% of its national budgets, Trumped insists, and the West has had to reluctantly agree for fear of being totally abandoned by Washington.

In contrast, the rise of the Global South as a force to be reckoned with is intertwined with the impact in the growing importance of BRICS in geopolitics. Across the entire Majority World, the common message is of solidarity, togetherness, cooperation and mutual pursuit of common goals. For instance, Brazil will hold the BRICS Summit under the theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.

As the Global South works hard to strengthen its collective rising power in the 21st century, the Global North is grappling with growing schism between member-states, particularly in the ranks of the EU, where Western Europe continues to subtly treat former Soviet Union Eastern European countries as inferior.

Addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (Spief) last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin put it bluntly, saying: “The dominance of the West is over.” Similarly, the foreign policy of China has consistently been premised on the principles of “shared future”, characterised by cooperation that leaves no one behind, great or small.

The concerted mobilisation efforts by BRICS countries, marked by a geographic and ideological sense of solidarity borne from the era of liberation wars against colonialism and imperialism, are an emotional magnetic force that drives BRICS.

South Africa, another key component of the strategic geopolitical bloc that is BRICS, will play host to the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the end of this year under a similar theme that advocates for greater cooperation across the Majority World, as International Relations scholars refer to the Global South nowadays. South Africa’s presidency of the G20 will focus on the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

The theme so irked the US that the Trump administration’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted the G20 meeting of foreign ministers in South Africa. There have been unabating fears that the US could boycott the end-of-year meeting in South Africa as bilateral ties ad been frosty for an extended period. However, word in diplomatic circles is that the US has had a change of heart and will see Trump attend the G20 meeting.

Relations between intra-BRICS countries continue to grow stronger by the day. India emulated the rest of the Global South when it refused to support the Western economic sanctions against Russia. Instead, India has been reselling Russian oil and gas to Europe under the obvious guise that the products were “made in India”.

The BRICS Bank, also known as the New Development Bank, is quietly positioning itself to counter the lending dominance of the US-led IMF and World Bank.

Trade by BRICS countries accounts for 40% of the global trade, according to statistics. Additionally, the combined population of BRICS countries account for nearly 50% of the world’s population. There are ample opportunities for BRICS to rapidly morph into the most powerful global body, more powerful than the sectarian G7 and the crumbling UN system that continues to be undermined by US-led Western unilateralism.

There are a number of strategically aligned Global South entities that, working together, can achieve a lot more, and faster. For example, at this week’s Eurasian Economic Forum held in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, President Putin made some telling remarks when he revealed that “BRICS is working on a digital investment platform”.

Putin explained that such an initiative could also be rolled out across the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Putin elaborated: “We are developing this platform within BRICS, and these ideas could be implemented in the EAEU too.”

The pursuit and formation of networks within and across the Majority World, nurturing of cooperative initiatives and unity of purpose are some of the major principles upon which BRICS can serve as a catalyst to the reformation of the Majority World into a true pole of power in international affairs.

We need a collective leadership that has foresight and insight, as it gets rid of the lingering legacy of colonialism, based on the dangerous strategy of divide and rule. It, therefore, makes sense for BRICS to continue to accept new applicants in droves and thrash out pro-poor, Majority World-aligned programmes that would eradicate poverty Chinese-style. After all, there is power in diversity, and BRICS can surely lead the way in harmonising it all.

BRICS stand a chance to occupy the centre stage of a new world order based on the principles of multilateralism, respect for international law and equal access to resources.

Russia
Source: russiancouncil.ru

On June 16, 2025, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Institute for African Studies (IAS) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) hosted a conference, “BRICS and Africa: Political, Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation,” marking the 70^th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and RIAC member Sergey Ryabkov, RIAC Director General Ivan Timofeev and IAS RAS Deputy Director Natalia Zherlitsina. In his address, Sergey Ryabkov noted that Africa is already well represented in BRICS through full members—South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia—and partner countries—Nigeria and Uganda. Russia is not the only country that is turning more attention to Africa, the deputy foreign minister stressed, adding that other BRICS members are just as involved. They are equally active in developing bilateral relations and engaging with regional organizations. Synchronizing these efforts through BRICS could help drive African development forward. Ivan Timofeev pointed out the increasing interest African nations are showing in BRICS and the development agenda outlined in the group’s declarations, which resonates with the countries of the continent. Natalia Zherlitsina observed in her remarks that colonialism and decolonization remain major concerns for Africa and that BRICS has an important role to play in overcoming the legacy of colonialism and shaping a new world order—a role that is expected to grow.

The plenary session “Africa–BRICS Cooperation” addressed the global political context in which BRICS and African countries are developing their cooperation and strengthening the role of the Global South on the international scene. It also focused on aligning the development agendas of African countries with their cooperation with BRICS members on a range of issues—from infrastructure projects to collaboration in advanced technologies. Diplomats and experts from Russia and African countries offered their perspectives on the future of Africa–BRICS cooperation.
Speakers at the session included Nazih Ali Bahaaeldin Elnaggary, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Russia; Vladimir Shubin, Chief Research Fellow at IAS RAS and Honorary Doctor of the University of the Western Cape (South Africa); and Rasigan Maharajh, Elected Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. The panel also featured Zahier Amien, Head of the Office of South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alvin Botes; Cecile Heppes, Counselor at the South African Embassy in Russia; and Mohammed Salah Abdelrazek Halima, First Secretary at the Embassy of Egypt in Russia.

The plenary session was moderated by the Head of the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS, Daria Zelenova.

During the session “Economic Development Within the BRICS Framework,” participants discussed issues related to sovereign economic development of African nations, the prospects for alternative BRICS-led financial systems, and the potential for infrastructure projects on the continent.
Speakers included Philani Mthembu, Executive Director at the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) in South Africa; Sergey Volkov, Head of the Center for Russian–African Relations and Foreign Policy of African Countries Studies at IAS RAS; Denis Degterev, Chief Research Fellow at the Center for Transition Economy Studies at IAS RAS; Vasiliy Sidorov, Senior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS; and Nikita Kuklin, Expert at the ASEAN Center and Associate Professor of the Department of Asian and African Studies, MGIMO University.

The session was moderated by the Head of the School of World Economy at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs and Head of the Laboratory for Economics of Climate Change at HSE University, Igor Makarov.

The final session of the conference, “African–BRICS Humanitarian Cooperation,” explored the prospects for humanitarian engagement among BRICS members and African nations, the integration of African BRICS members into the group’s scientific and educational partnerships, and humanitarian projects led by BRICS in Africa.

Speakers at the session included Sofia Zamesina, Junior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS; Mayya Nikolskaya, Head of the Africa Studies Program at the Institute for International Studies, MGIMO University; Tamara Andreeva, Junior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS; Anna Velikaya, Senior Research Fellow at the Group on Peace and Conflict Studies, IMEMO RAS; and Alexander Novikov, Project Director at the Gorchakov Fund and Junior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for Transition Economy Studies.

The session was moderated by RIAC Program Manager Konstantin Sukhoverkhov.

The conference concluded with closing remarks from RIAC Director General Ivan Timofeev and Head of the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS Daria Zelenova.

Brazil
Source: brics.br

BRICS Health Ministers Approve Partnership to Eliminate Socially Determined Diseases and Strengthen Vaccine Cooperation

The bloc also underscored the importance of equitable access to health care for all. Representatives from all eleven member states reached a consensus on a Joint Declaration to be submitted to the heads of state

On 17 June, Health Ministers from the BRICS member states convened at Itamaraty Palace in Brasília, where they adopted the bloc’s final declaration on health. Central to the document is a recommendation to establish a Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases across the eleven member states. This initiative is expected to be formally endorsed at the forthcoming Leaders’ Summit, to be held in Rio de Janeiro on 6–7 July."

“BRICS has proposed a health agenda aimed at integrating technical cooperation with a political commitment to equity, health, and capacity development. This effort is structured around three central pillars. The first focuses on addressing the social determinants of health, leading to the flagship initiative of Brasil’s BRICS presidency: the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases," stated Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilha.

The Declaration outlines that the alliance among Global South countries will serve as a “catalyst for integrated and multisectoral action.” Ministers emphasize that once this international commitment is endorsed by Heads of State, it will accelerate progress toward achieving health equity globally. To ensure the partnership advances, the heads of the relevant ministries will convene annually to discuss the initiative.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), social determinants of health refer to the conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age. Key factors—including food insecurity, poverty, and inadequate access to housing—are recognized as major influences directly affecting population health.

Diseases such as malaria, leprosy, Chagas disease, and tuberculosis are closely associated with social determinants of health. The BRICS commitment to eliminating these diseases is in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3—Good Health and Well-being—of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which sets the objective of ending epidemics of these diseases by 2030
 “We recognize that social determinants of health impact countries and regions in diverse ways, reflecting national specificities, disease patterns, and socio-economic epidemiological contexts. This universality calls for context-sensitive responses tailored to local realities and capable of addressing structural inequalities. At the same time, it underscores the significance of partnership as a mechanism for cooperation among BRICS member states and partners," added Padilha.

Research Network

Among socially determined diseases, tuberculosis receives particular attention from BRICS member states, as they collectively bear the highest burden of the disease globally, accounting for more than 50% of reported cases.

The BRICS Tuberculosis Research Network convened for its 18th edition this year and incorporated into the final declaration of the Health Ministers the need to strengthen “international cooperation, sustainable financing, and coordinated regulatory efforts.”

“Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. However, it has claimed more lives than all known pandemics combined. Many remain unaware of this reality. Tuberculosis has resulted in more fatalities than the bubonic plague—which devastated Europe—smallpox, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and additional diseases, including COVID-19, yellow fever, and influenza," stated Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health of South Africa, in an exclusive interview with BRICS Brasil.

“One of the reasons is that tuberculosis, as I describe it, does not generate urgency. It does not attract immediate attention like other diseases. It claims lives silently, gradually, yet with significant impact. That is why we must remain vigilant," added Motsoaledi.

At the invitation of Brasil’s BRICS presidency, Nigeria participated in the health discussions and identified parallels with its national context, which also align with the realities of neighboring South African nations on the continent.

“Nigeria stands as the most populous Black nation globally and is characterized by remarkable diversity. The challenges we face in achieving universal health coverage, addressing socially determined illnesses, and combating neglected tropical diseases are substantial. Tuberculosis and HIV remain highly prevalent. Our participation in the BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting presents a valuable opportunity to foster partnerships, exchange best practices, and broaden cooperation—so that, united as one humanity, we may continue progressing toward health for all,” stated Salako Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye, Minister of Health of Nigeria.

Cooperation

In his opening address, the Minister of Health of Brasil, Mr. Alexandre Padilha, underscored two additional key pillars of the BRICS Ministerial Declaration on Health: the imperative to overcome cultural disparities in order to ensure equitable access to healthcare—through targeted actions aimed at remote institutions and the promotion of health innovation—and the strengthening of national capacities in science, technology, and health production, with particular emphasis on the consolidation of the BRICS Centre for Vaccine Research and Development.

In the context of discussions on cooperation in vaccine and technology development among BRICS Member States, the President of Fiocruz, Mr. Mario Moreira, participated in the ministerial meeting and advocated for a “bolder” scientific agenda.

“Brasil upholds a principle of structural cooperation. That is why, in collaboration with the G20 last year, it proposed and secured the adoption of the Global Coalition for Technological Development and Vaccine Production. In this spirit, we bring the discussion to the BRICS platform, with the objective of establishing an institutional framework through which such cooperation may be advanced—thereby enhancing our autonomy and reducing dependence on the international pharmaceutical industry,” stated Mr. Moreira.

“The BRICS Vaccine Development Centre is currently operational, with an ongoing initiative involving the establishment of a digital repository for projects under development. Nevertheless, I believe it is imperative that we adopt a more ambitious stance and pursue a concrete strategy for vaccine development—by identifying a specific target and coordinating efforts around it. Within this broad, extensive, and diverse bloc, we possess complementary assets and face numerous shared public health challenges that could be effectively addressed through the joint development of a vaccine,” emphasized the President of Fiocruz.

Mr. Moreira identified the joint development of a BRICS vaccine against tuberculosis as a leading example of cooperation. At present, the most widely administered vaccine globally for the prevention of severe cases tuberculosis is the BCG vaccine, which is given to newborns in Brasil. However, this immunization was developed a century ago, and comparable new technologies remain under investigation.

“It is not viable to address situations analogous to the COVID pandemic in isolation. We are currently facing a particularly challenging moment marked by challenges to multilateralism, during which blocs such as BRICS and MERCOSUR are actively consolidating and reinforcing their institutional frameworks. This is essential if we are to respond collectively at the global level, as the ultimate priority remains the health of the planet and the life of its human population,” Moreira concluded.

Access to Health and Technology

The Joint Declaration reaffirmed universal health coverage as a fundamental right, with a strong emphasis on public health. “We reaffirm our commitment to cooperate in capacity-building and in expanding universal access to healthcare, vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and universal health coverage—focused on building resilient health systems and promoting health equity,” reads one excerpt from the official text.

To expand access to health care across all regions—including remote and underserved areas—technology was identified as a crucial ally. BRICS called for the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools in ways that are safe, ethical, and non-discriminatory, with the aim of narrowing inequalities, reinforcing digital sovereignty, and enhancing the performance of health systems across varied contexts.

English Version: Judas Tadeu de Azevedo Neto (POET/UFC)
Proofreading by: Michel Emmanuel Félix François (POET/UFC)

Brazil
Source: brics.br

BRICS United by Global Standards: harmonization of trade and environmental governance is the theme of the meeting in Brasilia

Member countries debate international standards for sustainable development, ESG, and combating violence against women in organizations

On June 17 and 18, 2025, delegations from the Standardization Bodies BRICS countries gathered to strengthen cooperation and address shared challenges related to standardization and adjacent fields. Under the guidance of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), delegates shared policies for the standardization of carbon accounting, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices, hydrogen technologies, and systems to prevent and combat violence against women within organizations.

At the opening of the meeting, Mario Esper, President of ABNT, emphasized strategic role of cooperation in standardization amid a global context of economic uncertainty and instability in supply chains. “Standardization plays an increasingly strategic role, serving as a tool for trade integration, innovation, and consumer protection, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Esper stated.

Maria Cristina Rayol, Head of the Market Access Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), noted that current challenges related to geopolitics, sustainable development, and emerging technologies require targeted efforts to meet the necessary standards— to facilitate trade and address trade barriers.

"If we do not converge on standards, our products will not enter BRICS Member States’ markets. If the challenges are the same, some basic principles remain—and the most fundamental is that countries need one another for their development. We will not reach our full potential unless we work together,” concluded Rayol.

For Mehdi Ghasemi, representative of Iran, “simplifying procedures and promoting mutual recognition within the BRICS framework will significantly reduce trade barriers and enhance economic integration.” The rich and technical discussions across various topics, he noted, reflect the growing maturity of BRICS collaboration. Chen Shuiyan, China’s delegate, added that this dialogue is essential “for BRICS countries to cooperate on standardization to facilitate trade and drive technological development.”

Carbon Accounting

The lack of standardized methodologies for carbon accounting across sectors, countries, and regions increases reporting and measurement costs, and compromises the transparency and efficiency of global supply chains. This topic is especially strategic for Brasil, which has placed it on its international agenda—from the G20 and BRICS to COP30—as governments and companies increasingly rely on such metrics to shape policies, taxes, and subsidies. However, as Rayol pointed out, current carbon accounting standards remain limited, often covering only segments of the production chain and ignoring broader, indirect, and systemic impacts.

“Brasil has one of the world’s cleanest energy mixes, vast forest reserves, and a diversified profile. It is not a carbon-emitting country. In the broader accounting picture, Brasil actually removes carbon from the atmosphere. That is why the government—together with the private sector—is fighting for broader carbon accounting methodologies that clearly reflect the advantages of countries like ours,” said Rayol.

Inconsistent methodologies across sectors and regions increase compliance costs and threaten the integrity of global supply chains. Given this landscape, Rostislav Sirotkin, representing Russia’s Federal Agency for Technical Regulation, stated that “mutual recognition of carbon accounting standards plays a vital role in facilitating trade, ensuring safety, and fostering innovation.” He added that strengthening collaboration among BRICS countries not only supports national economies but also advances a more balanced and equitable global standardization system.

The knowledge exchanged among BRICS countries, said Lizo Makele, CEO of South Africa’s Standards Office, enriches national policymaking with diverse perspectives. “Being here, engaging directly, and hearing what others are saying has been tremendously beneficial. We are now better equipped to return home and improve the work we are doing,” Makele explained.

Low-Emission Hydrogen: Standards Support Certification and Strengthen Global Markets

In one of the presentations, Gabriel Lassery of the Brazilian Hydrogen Association (ABH2) addressed the challenges and opportunities in certifying the low-emission hydrogen supply chain—a strategic vector for the global energy transition.

Lassery introduced ISO TS 19870, an international technical standard that provides a robust methodology for measuring greenhouse gas emissions across the entire hydrogen lifecycle: from production and conditioning to transport and end use.

He emphasized that while hydrogen is often touted as a key to decarbonizing the economy, less than 1% of the hydrogen produced globally today qualifies as low-emission. The standard aims to offer clear, internationally recognized criteria that ensure traceability, credibility, and trust in both domestic and international markets for this fuel.

Brasil has enormous potential to produce hydrogen from renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass energy. The sector is supported by legal frameworks—namely, Federal Laws 14.948 and 14.990, enacted in 2024—that lay down the National Policy on Low-Emission Hydrogen, alongside the National Hydrogen Program (PNH2), which is structured to foster the sector’s growth.

Commitment to Sustainability and Inclusion

The two-day discussions, held at the Federal Data Processing Service (Serpro) headquarters in Brasilia, reaffirmed the commitment of BRICS standardization bodies to develop technical solutions that promote a more sustainable, just, and inclusive global economy. The construction of standards such as those presented contributes directly to tackling global challenges and reinforces the role of standardization as a key tool for economic development, sustainability, and the protection of human rights.

English version by: Tadeu Azevedo (POET/UFC)
Proofreading by: Michel Emmanuel Félix François (UFC)

Brazil
Source: brics.br

BRICS Joint Statement on the Escalation of the Security Situation in the Middle East Following the Military Strikes on the Territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran


We express grave concern over the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since 13 June 2025, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East.

In the face of rising tensions with unpredictable consequences for international peace and security, as well as for the world economy, we underscore the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace. We call on all parties to engage through existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to de-escalating the situation and resolving their differences through peaceful means.

We express serious concern over any attacks against peaceful nuclear installations that are carried out in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm. In this context, we reiterate our support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at addressing regional challenges.

Civilian lives must be protected, and civilian infrastructure must be safeguarded, in full compliance with international humanitarian law. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and express our solidarity with civilians affected.

Guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, BRICS remains committed to promoting international peace and security and to fostering diplomacy and peaceful dialogue as the only sustainable path toward long-term stability in the region. In this regard, we also reaffirm the necessity of establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in line with relevant international resolutions.

We call upon the international community to support and facilitate dialogue processes, uphold international law, and contribute constructively to peaceful settlements of disputes for the benefit of all humanity.

BRICS countries will remain seized of the matter.

Brazil
Source: brics.br

"There is no climate justice without urban and social justice," says Minister Jader Barbalho Filho during BRICS meeting

Ministers discuss sustainable urbanization, housing, and climate finance during forum in Brasilia

“There is no climate justice without urban and social justice.” With that statement, Brasil’s Minister of Cities, Jader Barbalho Filho, opened the BRICS Urbanization Forum on Monday (June 23) at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia. Throughout the meeting, ministers reaffirmed their political commitment to advancing a multilevel governance model to develop more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities—focused on reducing social inequalities and disaster risk.

In his opening remarks, Minister Jader Barbalho Filho underscored the urgency of tackling the challenges posed by climate change, unplanned urban expansion, and rising social inequality in cities.

“This is a political affirmation: cities must be at the forefront of the global response to the climate crisis, social inequality, and the challenges of sustainable development. Let me put it bluntly: there is no climate justice without urban and social justice,” said the minister. Citing the direct impacts of the climate crisis on Brazilian cities, particularly in the Amazon, Minister Barbalho Filho added:

“In the Amazon, for instance, people live in cities, in urban areas. Floods, heat waves, housing deficits, poor sanitation, and disaster risk all weigh most heavily on the urban areas where the most vulnerable populations live. That is why we are building — and hope to share with BRICS — a strategy for urban development that places cities at the center of climate action. The Brazilian presidency of BRICS has endeavored to bring the urban agenda to the forefront as a key strategy in addressing the climate crisis and inequality.”

Three thematic pillars for fairer, more resilient cities

Over the course of the day, ministers and representatives from BRICS member and partner countries participated in three thematic sessions addressing the main urban challenges faced by the group.

Housing and the Urban Agenda: Strategic Priorities in the Face of the Global Climate Crisis

The first panel focused on strategies to scale up public policy for social housing, aimed at reducing urban inequality and vulnerability. Discussions covered alternative models of housing provision, mechanisms to mobilize public resources, promotion of public-private partnerships, and the design of financing programs for housing improvements.

Indicators for Evaluating the Sustainability of Public Investments

The second panel addressed the development of indicators to assess the sustainability of public investments in cities, aligning with the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and the New Urban Agenda. The discussion aimed to identify the main challenges and opportunities for mobilizing resources toward sustainable urban development and climate resilience.

Financing Urban Climate Resilience – Infrastructure and Urban Services

The third panel focused on solutions to expand climate-resilient urban infrastructure and services in BRICS countries, with special attention to vulnerable communities. The conversation explored innovative financing and governance models, emphasizing the combination of public and private resources to promote inclusion and sustainability in cities.

Participation of partner countries

The forum brought together official BRICS member countries—Brasil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia (which joined the group in January 2025)—along with partner countries Cuba, Bolivia, and Nigeria, currently invited as cooperation partners to the bloc.

Raul Omar Acosta Gregorich, President of Cuba’s National Institute for Territorial and Urban Planning (Inotu), emphasized the significance of Cuba’s participation in the forum. “It is, first and foremost, an honor for us to be a partner country of BRICS, given the significance of the group for the global economy and for the economic development of all its member states. Furthermore, this partnership is of strategic importance as it enables cooperation and engagement with all nations comprising the group, particularly in a domain as critical as urban development,” stated Gregorich

He also noted Cuba’s expertise in urban planning and housing, despite the country’s challenges. “We face many development-related issues, but we have also built valuable experience and have a highly professional team. We have cooperated with more than 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. We are ready to share our experience—and to learn from other BRICS countries as well,” he said.

Among Cuba’s top urban priorities, Gregorich highlighted housing, particularly the urgent need to reduce the housing deficit. “We are currently facing a shortfall of over half a million housing units. We are implementing an intervention program to improve substandard neighborhoods and eliminate housing precarity. Although we have the lowest rate of urban precarity in Latin America—5.7%— we are striving to meet the UN target of reducing this rate to 3% by 2030.”

Gregorich concluded by emphasizing the importance of international cooperation: “I believe countries in the Global South have a powerful asset: a wealth of experience. If we combine our efforts and cooperate, we can achieve great things. That is the value we place on our participation as a BRICS partner country.”

English version by: Tadeu Azevedo (POET/UFC)
Proofreading by: Michel Emmanuel Félix François (UFC)

Brazil
Source: brics.br

A more equitable use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one example of these mechanisms. The group aims to share infrastructure for better use of technological tools and to create more accessible languages

The ministers of the eleven BRICS member countries signed, this Wednesday (25), the Ministerial Declaration on Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation, during a meeting held at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia.

The document reinforces the importance of expanding access to and mastery of technologies and innovations by countries of the Global South—resources that have traditionally been concentrated in the Global North. The declaration also sets forth the expansion of cooperation among member states to create more accessible technological languages and infrastructure that enables the exploration of new tools, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“All new technologies have the potential to further widen the asymmetries between countries, because they are extremely powerful tools that transform modes of production and productive forces,” explained Brasil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos. “We are fighting to prevent a concentration of technology in just a few countries and to ensure it can be shared. In this sense, all of our countries are working to develop their own infrastructure that ensures the advancement of artificial intelligence.”

Regarding the so-called Large Language Models (LLMs), Minister Santos warned of the risks of cultural bias in these models when they are not adapted to local realities. She emphasized the importance of Brasil developing its own technological solutions, rooted in national identity and context:

“This alone already introduces a cultural bias that misrepresents nations—it does not reflect the context, culture, history, or way of life of each country. That’s why we are working to develop our own language models in Portuguese. Some powerful models are already in development, such as the one from Piauí, which leads the ‘SoberanIA’ initiative with 100 billion parameters, showing that we are on the right path,” the minister explained.

LLMs are AI systems that enable the understanding and generation of natural language, simulating writing and speech. The number of parameters is what makes this language more complex and comprehensive. For example, ChatGPT models have around 220 billion parameters.

“AI is the way forward. We are not on the same level as other countries, but we are saying that we can form partnerships and grow through the experiences that are here to be shared. Each country participated in the session by presenting its political status to explain what they have in terms of policy. This is a moment where we discuss how each of us can grow and learn from one another so we can all advance together in this regard,” summarized Nomalungelo Gina, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Science and Technology.

Innovation

The Ministerial Declaration on Science and Technology also endorsed the BRICS Innovation Action Plan 2025–2030, prepared by the Working Group on Science, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (STIEP) during a meeting held in Rio de Janeiro on June 10–11. “Innovation is always the effort to ensure that scientific production results in products and services. So, in this process, there is an exchange of tools and legal instruments available in each country,” commented Luciana Santos.

The importance of innovation was also emphasized by Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina, who advocated for its central role in the development of Global South nations. “We have shared our experiences on how we are investing in the growth of innovation, bearing in mind that when it comes to our country’s economic growth and stability, everything is rooted in innovation,” she stated.
She added that during the group’s meetings, topics such as industrialization, education, and skills development were discussed, along with ways to exchange information and resources to address shared challenges, such as climate change. “Innovation can contribute to energy issues and the challenges we face. Analyzing and addressing energy issues allows us to attract innovation to climate issues, such as green hydrogen,” added the South African representative, pointing to solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A decade of cooperation

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the BRICS Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation, signed by the ministers responsible for these areas in the member countries.

This BRICS group on science, technology, and innovation—comprising ministers and the representatives present here—has carried out intense work. It has now been ten years of cooperation under this framework and through BRICS. We have 14 Working Groups on Science, Technology, and Innovation, ranging from public calls for cooperation and researcher exchanges in networks to the sharing of infrastructure and pursuit of technology transfer, all grounded in collaboration, sharing, and dialogue, with the understanding that we all need to learn together,” celebrated Minister Luciana Santos.

So far, the BRICS S&T&I area has held nine editions of the Young Scientists Forum, seven editions of the Young Innovators Prize, and six joint research cooperation calls, bringing together hundreds of scientists and government representatives.

During the event, the expansion of the Memorandum was also signed, now including the new BRICS member, Indonesia, and additional partners such as Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Translated by Luana Ferreira de Freitas (POET/UFC)
Proofreading by Tadeu Azevedo (POET/UFC)