Brasil leads first BRICS Sherpa meeting with unanimous support for its priorities

Ambassadors from the 11 BRICS countries endorsed Brasil’s proposals to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies at the first Sherpa meeting under Brazilian Presidency. Global health, artificial intelligence governance and trade facilitation are among priority topics.

By Inez Mustafa | inez.mustafa@presidencia.gov.br

Following unanimous approval of the central topics proposed by Brasil, the first meeting of BRICS Sherpas ended on Wednesday (26) in Brasília. The meeting took place at the Itamaraty Palace, bringing together ambassadors of the 11 countries that make up the group and from eight invited BRICS partner countries. President Lula and Ambassador André Côrrea do Lago, president of COP30, participated in the last day of the meeting.

Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, the Brazilian Sherpa of the group, assessed that there were many constructive contributions and a spirit of cooperation at the meeting. “We fulfilled the entire agenda, and the Brazilian Presidency considers that the meeting was very good; it was exactly as we wanted it to be. There was broad support for the priorities that Brasil established. The meeting was very positive, with constructive contributions and a spirit of cooperation. There was unanimous support for Brazilian proposals”, stated Lyrio.

Under the central theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, the Brazilian BRICS Presidency has six priorities: cooperation in global health; trade, investment and finance; climate change; governance of artificial intelligence; reform of the multilateral peace and security architecture; institutional development.

Global Alliance to eliminate diseases linked to inequalities

The Brazilian BRICS Sherpa highlighted one of the highest priorities of the Brazilian Presidency: the Alliance for the Elimination of Socially Determined and Neglected Tropical Diseases. Under the Brazilian Presidency, the countries will present initiatives aimed at eliminating socially determined diseases and infections (SDD). Mauricio Lyrio stressed that diseases such as tuberculosis and childhood diarrhea have a higher incidence in developing countries, which makes this alliance all the more essential. The Sherpa emphasized that “regarding health, we had already anticipated that Brasil would propose the creation of a partnership for the elimination of Socially Determined Diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases.”

“I emphasize that this alliance is one of the highest priorities of the Brazilian Presidency, precisely focused on diseases that have a greater impact on emerging countries and countries in the group. The proposal was very well received, and we were very pleased with the positive response,” he said.

Group’s natural vocation

Lyrio recalled that since its inception in 2009, the intensification of economic, trade and financial relations between the BRICS countries — the group’s natural vocation — was reiterated at this meeting of Sherpas. He added that the countries want to advance in new areas such as trade facilitation and negotiation of new payment platforms, reducing operating costs.

The role of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) was also at the center of the discussions. The NDB mobilizes resources for infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS countries and other developing nations, while the CRA offers financial support to member countries facing economic instability.

Sherpa Mauricio Lyrio emphasized that, “at just five years old, in 2014, the BRICS already had sufficient mobilization capacity to create a development bank and a Contingent Reserve Arrangement”.

“It is very important for financing infrastructure in a wide range of fields, which is the main area of ​​activity of the NDB, including green infrastructure, and, at the same time, the conclusion of an agreement that obviously benefits everyone in terms of balance of payments,” he assessed.

Another highlight of the meeting was the review of the Strategic Partnership in the Economic Area, a five-year plan that is now undergoing renewal under Brazilian leadership. The Brazilian Presidency has the mission of launching a new economic plan for the BRICS that is adapted to current global challenges. This update, carried out every five years, according to Lyrio, will be essential to strengthen cooperation and expand growth opportunities among member countries.