Brasil leads final BRICS coordination on connectivity, space, and environmental sustainability
The Ministry of Communications chaired the final virtual meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and is organizing an in-person session in Brasília to finalize a joint declaration by the member countries.
With information from the Brazilian Ministry of Communications
On Tuesday, May 6, Brasil took an important step in advancing the BRICS digital agenda by leading the third virtual meeting of the Working Group (WG) on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Coordinated by the Ministry of Communications (Ministério das Comunicações), the meeting focused on finalizing the ministerial declaration to be signed in June during the group’s in-person gathering in Brasília.
On May 29 and 30, the federal capital will host representatives from the 11 BRICS member countries for the group’s final technical meeting before the official signing of the declaration by ministers, scheduled for June 2 at the Itamaraty Palace.
“We will have the opportunity to welcome the eleven BRICS countries to Brasília at the end of the month. In this final online meeting, we were able to hear the initial comments from the other members on the draft declaration,” said Jeferson Nacif, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Communications.
Currently in its final stages of revision, the draft is expected to consolidate agreements on strategic issues such as universal and meaningful connectivity, space and environmental sustainability, and the strengthening of the digital ecosystem. Member countries have until May 29 to submit their suggestions to the Brazilian presidency of the Working Group.
At a press conference following the meeting, Ronaldo Moura, international advisor at the National Telecommunications Agency (Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações /ANATEL), emphasized Brasil’s leadership in global telecommunications discussions.
“Brasil was among the first countries to bring this topic to the telecommunications arena. We have made significant progress, built strategic alliances, and helped place the issue on the international agenda,” he said.
Another key topic discussed during the meeting was meaningful connectivity—a concept that goes beyond simple internet access to include quality, security, and practical usability. The group proposes adopting the indicators already endorsed in the G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Declaration—also under Brasil’s leadership—as a means to track countries’ progress.
“It is essential to understand local bottlenecks. It’s not enough to be connected—what matters is being well connected, with broad and secure access,” said Alexandre Moraes, also an advisor at ANATEL.
The BRICS ICT Working Group serves as a strategic platform for coordination among member countries, focused on advancing digital inclusion, technological innovation, and digital sovereignty. The upcoming in-person meeting in Brasília is expected to signal a new phase of international cooperation in the communications sector, aligned with the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.