This is the third time he has served as head of state
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrates his 79th birthday. Having started his career at an early age, Lula da Silva contributed to the founding of the Workers' Party (PT) in 1980. He is currently serving his third term in office, making him the country's 39th president.
Political history
Lula was elected president for the first time on 27 October 2002, at the age of 57, with almost 53 million votes. Between 2003 and 2011, he served his second term as chief executive. On 1 January 2023, after winning the elections with 50.90 per cent of the vote, he took office for a third term. With this, Lula became the politician with the highest number of direct votes in the history of the Republic, as announced by the Brazilian Senate.
Participation in BRICS and promotion of the Global South
In its current mandate, the Federal Government has raised relevant issues at BRICS meetings, addressing, for example, the energy transition by expanding investments in biofuels, green hydrogen, as well as solar and wind energy. The president is also promoting initiatives to combat hunger and poverty, as well as the development of payment alternatives between BRICS countries, with the aim of expanding the use of national currencies in transactions between member countries and increasing the influence of the Global South on the international stage, according to Brasil 247, a partner of TV BRICS.
The BRICS Summit was held in Kazan between 22 and 24 October, and the president took part via videoconference. During the meeting, issues of global relevance were discussed, including the advancement and expansion of the association between the member states.
Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / Brasil 247-
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![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification" -
![Dilma Rousseff]()
Dilma RousseffPresident of the New Development Bank"India’s BRICS Presidency this year gives special significance to our discussion. NDB stands ready to be a trusted partner in turning commitments on sustainability, clean energy, smart and resilient infrastructure into concrete results on the ground. […] For NDB, mobilising private capital is a strategic imperative. Created by the BRICS founding members, NDB is a bank of the Global South, for the Global South, mandated to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development" -
![Sihasak Phuangketkeow]()
Sihasak PhuangketkeowDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand"BRICS can play a very important role in maintaining the free flow of trade and investment. The group can also be a vehicle for all of us to engage and to look at economic opportunities"
