Brazil officially becomes BRICS chair country

On 1 January 2025, the BRICS chairmanship will officially pass from Russia to Brazil. During this period, special attention will be paid to climate change, sustainable development and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). This was announced by Eduardo Paes Saboia, the republic's Foreign Ministry Secretary for Asia and the Pacific and the country's Sherpa to BRICS, in an interview with Agencia Brasil. 

He noted that issues already discussed earlier, including the use of national currencies in trade between countries and the reform of the global governance system, will remain on the agenda.

Saboia explained that the climate topic is of particular interest because Brazil will host the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30) in Belem this year. He pointed out that the top 10 countries play a key role in the energy sector, which affects greenhouse gas emissions. 

Regulation of artificial intelligence will also be a central issue during the presidency. 

"To date, there is no governance of artificial intelligence in the world, although discussions are already underway. It is possible that during the Brazilian presidency, it will be possible to promote the idea of a unified approach of the group's countries to AI regulation," said a Brazilian foreign policy official.

Speaking about the BRICS expansion, Saboia emphasised that Brazil supports the inclusion of new members in the group. According to him, the country's leadership intends to ensure their smooth integration into the association. In addition, the diplomat commented on the creation of a new category of BRICS partner countries.

"One of our priority tasks during the presidency is to make these countries (BRICS partners – Ed.) feel part of the association. It is important to ensure their involvement. They will participate in the foreign ministers' meetings, as well as in the 2025 summit"

Eduardo Paes Saboia Brazil's Foreign Ministry Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, the country's sherpa in BRICS

Earlier, the press office of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration also published the BRICS logo under which the republic's presidency of the group will be held. It depicts a cotton sumauma tree growing in the Amazon, painted in the colours of the national flags of the member states of the group. 

It is noted that the tree with a branched root system and blossoming crown in the form of triangles of yellow, red, orange, green and blue colours symbolises the "strength of union" between the members of the association.

Brazil will host the BRICS summit for the fourth time in 2025. Last year, the summit was held in Russia's Kazan. 

Photo: Government of Brazil