On January 1, 2025, Brazil will officially assume the presidency of BRICS, marking its fourth time hosting the group's summit. Ambassador Eduardo Saboia, the 2025 sherpa of BRICS, emphasized the significance of the group, which represents over 40% of the world's population and accounts for 37% of global GDP by purchasing power.
Ambassador Saboia stated that Brazil intends to use its presidency to foster collaboration among member nations on various critical issues, including climate change, sustainable development, and governance of artificial intelligence. He noted the importance of achieving consensus within BRICS to enhance broader global understanding.
Brazil's leadership comes ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will also be hosted in Belém, Pará. The ambassador highlighted the necessity of leveraging BRICS discussions to ensure the success of COP30, particularly given the bloc's central role in energy production, a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the governance of artificial intelligence is a pressing topic, with the ambassador acknowledging the current lack of regulatory frameworks. He expressed hope that BRICS could develop a collaborative approach to AI governance during Brazil's presidency.
BRICS has expanded significantly, with Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates set to join in January 2024, following their invitation at the Johannesburg summit in 2023. While Argentina opted out, the other nations participated in the recent summit in Kazan, Russia.
Additionally, BRICS announced a new category of associated membership, inviting 13 nations, including Cuba, Bolivia, and Turkey, among others. The announcement regarding these new partnerships is expected in the upcoming weeks, with plans for their involvement in future meetings and the 2025 summit.