In a week of intense agendas, BRICS Sherpas will discuss Brazilian Presidency priorities
BRICS Sherpas and Working Groups meetings will advance the agenda proposed by the Brazilian Presidency, focusing on Global South cooperation, energy transition, food safety, and innovation in education.
By Inez Mustafa | inez.mustafa@presidencia.gov.br
The first BRICS Sherpas Meeting will inaugurate the week’s debates, on February 25 and 26. Chief negotiators from the eleven member countries will gather at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia to discuss the two main pillars of the Brazilian BRICS Presidency: (i) Global South Cooperation, and (ii) BRICS Partnerships for social and economic development.
In addition to the Sherpas meeting, representatives of finance and central banks from the group’s countries will have their first meeting, which will have a hybrid format. Energy and education officials will meet at the BRICS Brasil headquarters on February 24 and 25, through videoconferencing. To close the week’s debates, the Working Groups on Agriculture and Employment will also have online meetings on February 27 and 28.
Sherpas meeting
The week begins with the meeting of Sherpa leaders from the BRICS countries, who are responsible for conducting the discussions and agreements that will lead to the BRICS Leaders Summit. Under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, the representatives from the eleven member countries will debate issues that aim to promote a more just and multipolar world order, in accordance with the priorities proposed by the Brazilian Presidency.
Energy Committee
On February 24 and 25, the Committee of High-Level Energy Representatives of the BRICS will debate strengthening cooperation among the member countries in the energy sector. The group recognizes the importance of addressing climate change, promoting a sustainable, just, and inclusive energy transition focused on technological innovation, access to energy, and reduction of carbon emissions.
Education Working Group
The Education Working Group will meet on February 24 and 25 to discuss technical and professional training, research and innovation, digital transformation, and mutual recognition of qualifications. Furthermore, on the last day of the meeting, Brasil’s Ministry of Education will promote a seminar under the theme “Ethical and Inclusive Adoption of AI: Sharing Patterns (“Adoção Ética e Inclusiva de IA: Compartilhando Padrões”), to be held through videoconferencing.
Finance and Central Banks
On February 26, Finance and Central Banks representatives will gather to discuss global governance, climate-resilient infrastructure, and international tax cooperation. The group’s priorities include strengthening financial and economic cooperation among BRICS members while also contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable global financial architecture.
Work and Employment Working Group
On February 27 and 28, the group will meet for the second time to continue the discussions on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work and the Impacts of Climate Change and the Fair Transition. The Brazilian BRICS Presidency has proposed the elaboration of reports and studies by the BRICS Research Institutes Network, aligned with the challenges of the digital transformation and climate change.
Agriculture Working Group
The BRICS group on Food Security, Sustainable Agricultural Production, and Trade proposed debates with an emphasis on cooperation among the member countries for the meeting that will take place on February 27 and 28. The goal is to promote sustainable practices, technological innovation, and fair trade, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the goals of the Paris Agreements.