Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has outlined key environmental and health priorities for the BRICS summit during the first meeting of the sherpas under Brazilian presidency, emphasizing collective action against climate change and global health challenges. The summit, held on February 26, 2025, marked a significant step for Brazil as it assumes leadership of the block.
During the meeting, Lula stated, "BRICS will remain a key player in advancing the ideals of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and the Pact for the Future." His comments underscored Brazil's commitment to fostering peace and environmental preservation within the bloc, which now includes 11 member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, as well as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Lula's vision is part of broader discussions aimed at reducing international disparities. He emphasized the need for BRICS to be a platform for diversity and dialogue, thereby contributing to the establishment of a multipolar world.
The urgency of health cooperation emerged as one of the primary topics during the discussions. Lula acknowledged the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, "Poverty, lack of access to basic services, and social exclusion create fertile ground for diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and dengue, which together threaten approximately 1.7 billion people worldwide." He proposed launching a partnership aimed at eliminating socially determined and neglected tropical diseases, signifying Brazil's commitment to tackle health disparities impacting the Global South.
Reflecting on the global response to health crises, Lula remarked, "The failure to reach an agreement on the pandemic treaty, even after COVID-19 and the mpox outbreak, highlights the international community's lack of cohesion." He warned against undermining institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizing, "Sabotaging the World Health Organization is a mistake with serious consequences." This emphasis on health marked Brazil's symbolic pushback against U.S policies under President Donald Trump, who previously announced the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO.
On climate matters, the Brazilian ambassador Maurício Lyrio noted the receptiveness of BRICS countries toward Brazil's proposals. He mentioned, "We were very pleased with the good reaction we got to the climate change issue." With the Leaders’ Summit scheduled for July 6 and 7 in Rio de Janeiro, discussions on climate action, particularly the negotiations of proposals for climate-related declarations, gained traction among member nations.
Lyrio also outlined initiatives aimed at financial cooperation among BRICS nations, advocating for the use of local currencies to reduce costs associated with trade and investment. "The current escalation of protectionism in trade and investment emphasizes the need for measures removing barriers to our economic integration," he remarked.
Beyond these immediate agendas, Lula has stressed the ethical and economic challenges surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). He declared, "This technology cannot become the monopoly of a few countries or corporations." Brazil champions the need for establishing governance around AI, encapsulated within the Leaders' Declaration on AI Governance for Development during its BRICS presidency.
Echoing the sentiments on global cooperation, Lyrio expressed broad support for inclusive frameworks governing AI, noting, "We should also have documents or principles for AI governance." This statement reflects BRICS' desire to unite global South nations under common technological standards and practices.
Fostering multilateralism remained central to the meeting’s outcomes, with discussions pointing toward revising the terms of membership and presidency within BRICS. Lyrio emphasized the importance of reaffirming core principles of international law and multilateral engagement, indicating Brazil's strategic positioning to strengthen these frameworks.
The discussions are set to continue, with a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers scheduled for April to refine proposals established during the sherpas meeting. Anticipation builds toward the upcoming Leaders’ Summit, which promises to solidify the agenda and assert Brazil's leadership role within the international sphere.
Overall, Lula's agenda received broad endorsement within BRICS, positioning Brazil as a pivotal player not just within the bloc but on the larger stage of international relations. The overarching goals reflect Brazil's commitment to fostering cooperation on pressing global issues, standing firm on environmental sustainability and health, and promoting inclusivity against the backdrop of rising global inequalities.