Sustainable and resilient infrastructure highlighted at the first technical meeting of the BRICS Transport WG
Meeting kicks off thematic debates for this year's summit in Brasil
From the Brazilian Ministry of Transport
Brasil’s Ministry of Transport opened the 1st Technical Meeting of the BRICS Transport Working Group (WG) under the Brazilian presidency, which took place on Thursday (March 27) in Brasilia. Four proposals aimed at promoting and strengthening sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects were presented for discussion. Along with Brasil, BRICS is made up of China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. This stage is a preparation for the bloc's summit, which will take place in July. The meeting was attended by representatives of the other member countries via videoconference. The WG also includes the ministries of Cities, Ports, and Airports, and its technical meetings will continue until Friday (28).
“Brasil has much to offer. The Ministry of Transport, under the administration of Minister Renan Filho and Secretary George [Santoro], is building an agenda of sustainability and expansion of modes. Issues of land, road, and rail transport, as well as SENATRAN, will be included in the various debates that begin today and continue until July when the Summit takes place in the country,” said Cloves Benevides, undersecretary for sustainability.
Proposals
Innovation, training for professionals in the sector, and the exchange of experiences form the basis of the contributions presented by the Ministry of Transport at the technical meeting on Thursday. The first proposal addresses the creation of the BRICS Institute for Sustainable Transport, Mobility, and Logistics (BISTML), which would emerge as a strategic response to the infrastructure challenges faced by member countries. The aim of the institute, as Cloves Benevides pointed out during the presentation, is to seek innovations that benefit the countries and promote sustainable global development.
The second proposal focuses on the exchange of experiences and knowledge through the Virtual Workshop on Mobility, Logistics, and Sustainable Transport within the BRICS. The third, fourth, and fifth proposals culminate in the formatting of technical reports and the financing of studies.
The Undersecretary for Sustainability pointed out that while the bloc's member countries are experiencing rapid urban population growth, they also face a shortage of adequate infrastructure, which hinders economic and social development. “These reports would aim to provide a comprehensive overview of current conditions and offer practical suggestions to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of urban transportation,” he added.
Global Logistics Alliance
On the second day of the Transport WG meetings, which will take place on Friday (28), members of the ministries of Transport, Cities and Ports and Airports will advance discussions on the creation of the Working Group for the BRICS International Logistics Alliance (TWG-Log.A). The proposal seeks to create an integration network for transport operations among the bloc's member countries. The debate also emphasizes the importance of maintaining open, secure, and resilient supply chains to improve connectivity throughout the BRICS region.