Brazil advocates strengthening BRICS with “renewed ambition”
During the opening of the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasília, the Brazilian government advocated for strengthening the bloc’s institutional framework. It also expressed hope that the summit, scheduled for July 6 and 7, will mark a turning point and bring “renewed ambition” to the coalition of 11 member countries and nine partners.
Brazil’s Acting President, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, told the Senate plenary, in the presence of parliamentary representatives from 15 BRICS countries, that expanding the bloc requires on institutional strengthening.
“Expanding the group demands greater cohesion and effectiveness. The challenges we face—from global health to the green transition, from technological progress to international security—are complex and interconnected. No country can tackle them alone. That’s why the role of our parliaments is crucial,” said Alckmin.
Brazil’s presidency of BRICS in 2025 comes at a time of the bloc’s expansion and the start of Donald Trump’s new term in the United States, whose istration has rejected multilateralism in favor of unilateral or bilateral approaches.
For Brazil’s Vice President, BRICS is diverse in culture, history, and development models. “This is an asset, not an obstacle. Real progress depends on our ability to build on what unites us, not on what divides us,” Alckmin added.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maria Laura da Rocha, highlighted the government’s commitment to Brazil’s BRICS presidency in 2025, noting that 160 official meetings had already been held by the end of May.
“This significant volume of activity demonstrates Brazil’s strong commitment to a presidency that is substantive, representative, and proactive. We are now just four weeks away from the Leaders’ Summit, to be held in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. We continue working with dedication and diligence to ensure the summit marks a turning point and brings renewed ambition,” the ambassador added.
Among the BRICS proposals are reforms of international organizations to give greater influence to countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the strengthening of multilateralism to establish a new global order. Unlike bilateralism or unilateralism, multilateralism aims to build collective solutions with countries to address the planet’s shared challenges.
In addition, BRICS advocates boosting trade among Global South countries through the use of local currencies and agreements that promote shared and sustainable economic development.
BRICS
Originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the group added Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates as permanent last year.
This year, Indonesia became a permanent member. Additionally, in 2025, the partner member category was introduced, bringing in nine countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
