Brazil’s Increasing Role in Major Global Forums

Deep dive

In recent years, Brazil has emerged as a key player in shaping global policy through its leadership roles in major international forums. From hosting the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2024 to convening the COP30 climate conference in Belém and the BRICS Summit in 2025, Brazil is using its platform to push for a more inclusive, sustainable, and multipolar world order.

1. Brazil's G20 Presidency in 2024, Key Highlights:

Duration: December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024

Summit Location: Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro

Summit Dates: November 18–19, 2024

Theme: “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”

Presiding Official: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Key Priorities:

Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty: Launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, aiming to mobilize finance and share knowledge to support large-scale, evidence-based programs targeting hunger and poverty reduction.
Sustainable Development, Energy Transition, and Climate Action: Emphasized the need for sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, advocating for accelerated climate action and energy transitions.
Reform of Global Governance Institutions: Advocated for comprehensive reforms in global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, to better represent the current global landscape.

Significant Outcomes:

Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty: Endorsed by 82 countries, this initiative focuses on accelerating efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty worldwide.
Climate Commitments: Reaffirmed the commitment to the Paris Agreement goals and emphasized the need for increased climate finance to support developing nations.
Taxation of the Wealthy: Discussions included measures for the effective taxation of billionaires to address global inequality.
Global Governance Reform: Supported initiatives for reforming the UN Security Council to enhance its representativeness and effectiveness.

Challenges and Discussions:

Climate Finance Debates: Engaged in complex negotiations regarding the scaling-up of climate finance, with discussions on sources and mechanisms remaining inconclusive.
Consensus Building: Faced challenges in achieving consensus on various issues due to differing national interests and global tension.

Preparations and Security:

Budget Allocation: The Brazilian government allocated R$ 300 million for events across 15 cities.
Security Measures: Deployed approximately 20,000 security personnel and implemented airspace restrictions during the summit.
Venue Renovation: The Museum of Modern Art underwent extensive renovations to host the summit.

Media Coverage and Analysis:

The summit received extensive global media coverage, with analyses highlighting both the achievements and the challenges faced during Brazil's G20 presidency.
Discussions on global conflicts and cooperation were prominent, reflecting the complex international landscape during the summit.

Brazil's G20 presidency in 2024 was marked by ambitious initiatives aimed at promoting social inclusion, sustainable development, and reforms in global governance, reflecting the country's commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

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2. 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), Key Highlights:

Location: Belém, Pará, Brazil

Dates: November 10–21, 2025

Overview: COP30 marks the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This conference is particularly significant as it is the first UN Climate Conference to be held in the Amazon region, emphasizing the critical role of tropical ecosystems in global climate discussions.

Leadership: The conference will be presided over by Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, Brazil's Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment.

Main Themes:

Adaptation to Climate Change: Accelerating efforts to enhance resilience against climate impacts, with a focus on vulnerable communities.
Climate Finance: Mobilizing financial resources to support developing nations in their climate action initiatives.
Deforestation and Biodiversity Preservation: Addressing strategies to halt deforestation and promote biodiversity, particularly pertinent given the Amazonian setting.
Climate Justice: Ensuring equitable climate policies that consider the needs and rights of indigenous and local communities.

Significance: Hosting COP30 in Belém underscores Brazil's commitment to environmental stewardship and highlights the Amazon's vital importance in global climate regulation. The conference aims to foster international collaboration to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and advance sustainable development goals.

This conference represents a pivotal moment for global climate action, bringing together nations to deliberate and implement strategies addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.

3. 17th BRICS Summit 2025, Key Highlights:

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Dates: July 6–7, 2025

Theme: “Strengthening Cooperation in the Global South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”

Overview: Under Brazil's presidency, the summit aims to enhance collaboration among emerging economies, focusing on sustainable development, economic integration, and global governance reforms.

Key Agenda Items:

Trade and Investment Facilitation: Developing efficient payment systems to promote economic integration among member countries.
Artificial Intelligence Governance: Promoting inclusive and responsible AI governance for development purposes.
Climate Change Mitigation: Enhancing financing mechanisms to support global efforts in combating climate change, in coordination with the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil.
Public Health Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration to improve public health systems across member nations.
Institutional Development: Enhancing the internal framework of BRICS to ensure effective governance and decision-making.

Significant Developments:

Membership Expansion: Indonesia has been officially admitted as a full member, reflecting BRICS' strategy to include key emerging economies.
Global Influence: With recent expansions, BRICS countries now represent a substantial portion of the world's population and GDP, underscoring their growing impact on international affairs.

Preparations: The Rio BRICS Committee has been established to coordinate activities and projects related to Brazil's presidency, including the development of the "Rio: Capital of the BRICS" brand.

Geopolitical Context: The summit occurs amid global economic shifts and discussions on reducing dependence on traditional financial systems, highlighting the bloc's role in advocating for a multipolar world order.

This summit represents a pivotal moment for BRICS nations to solidify their commitment to collaborative development and to assert their influence in reshaping global economic and political landscapes.