Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called on BRICS countries to maintain unity to counter “growing international instability” and what he termed a “divide-and-conquer strategy” of unilateralism during a virtual BRICS leaders’ summit on September 8. Speaking at Brazil’s initiative, Lula said the grouping represents 40% of global GDP and has the “necessary legitimacy to lead the reform of the multilateral system”.
Lula criticised rising trade barriers, stating “tariff blackmail is being normalised as a tool for market conquest and interference in domestic affairs,” and urged BRICS to affirm that cooperation prevails over rivalry. He invited member states to present a unified stance at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference next year in Cameroon.
On climate, Lula proposed a United Nations Climate Change Council to centralise global climate governance, citing COP30, set for next year in Belém, as a “moment of truth and science.” He also highlighted Brazil’s Tropical Forests Forever Fund to compensate communities preserving critical biomes, suggesting fossil fuel revenues could aid the ecological transition.
At the Rio summit in July, BRICS leaders called on wealthier nations to fund climate mitigation. They endorsed Brazil’s forest fund and warned against European carbon border taxes and protectionist green policies. China and the UAE signalled their intention to invest in the fund.
HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, delivered the UAE’s address on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. He praised Brazil’s leadership of the bloc and reaffirmed the UAE’s support for BRICS as a platform for economic cooperation and sustainable development.
The summit included discussions on enhancing trade among members and expanding economic integration via infrastructure, energy and digital transformation projects. The UAE, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran and Ethiopia attended alongside the original five BRICS members.
