Multilateralism, concerns about trade barriers, and development with gender equality were among the key topics on the first day of the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, held at the National Congress in Brasília. The official opening of the event is scheduled for Wednesday (4), but Tuesday’s (3) agenda included two parallel events: the Meeting of the Chairs of the Committees on Foreign Affairs of the BRICS Parliaments and the BRICS Women Parliamentarians Meeting. 

The event brings together representatives from 15 countries — 10 BRICS member states and 5 partner countries — and a total of 230 parliamentarians, including 180 international delegates, 33 Brazilian federal deputies, and 17 senators. BRICS serves as a forum for political and diplomatic coordination and cooperation among countries of the so-called Global South. The initiative has the potential to advance interparliamentary cooperation among member states and to strengthen political dialogue, the exchange of best practices, and the development of a common agenda focused on sustainable development, social justice, and multilateral governance.

Women

The BRICS Women Parliamentarians Meeting encouraged reflection on the role of women in the face of technological and environmental transformations. Three panel discussions were held throughout the day. For Senator Leila Barros (PDT–DF), leader of the Women’s Caucus in the Brazilian Senate, it is impossible to envision development without addressing gender issues.

“There can be no talk of development without gender equality. We are here to build a BRICS with a female face, one that acknowledges the diversity of our experiences,” she stated.

During the first panel, titled “Women in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: between the protection of rights and female inclusion in the digital economy,” Sara Falaknaz, from the Federal National Council (the unicameral parliament) of the United Arab Emirates, stated that AI and the digital economy are not gender-neutral and tend to have a disproportionate impact on women and girls.

“As parliamentarians, we have a responsibility to ensure that technological development is grounded in ethics, transparency, and human dignity,” said the UAE representative.

In the second working session, dedicated to discussing the empowerment of women in facing the climate crisis, South African parliamentarian Nqabisa Gantsho pointed out that women are often excluded from decision-making processes and suffer more intensely from the impacts of both natural and human-induced climate disasters.

“The United Nations reports that women are 14 times more likely than men to die in natural disasters,” said the South African MP, suggesting that member states should adopt an agenda to mitigate these risks for women.

The third session focused on the future and the role of women in the BRICS 2025 agenda. For Brazilian Deputy Dandara (PT–MG), who chaired the session, the forum represents a highly symbolic political gesture and an opportunity to advance the institutionalization of this space for reflection and joint parliamentary action. Gender inequality, she emphasized, must not be left out of the discussion.

“Gender inequality has never been a sectoral issue, nor can it or should it be boxed in. It is structural — it shapes power relations in society across every political dimension of the global economy,” the Brazilian congresswoman warned.

Parliamentarians also held an exchange meeting with the New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS Bank. The theme of the meeting was “Women as Agents and Beneficiaries of Financing.” The NDB, chaired by former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, finances sustainability projects in BRICS member states and other emerging countries.

Foreign Affairs

Also on Tuesday, the chairs of the Committees on Foreign Affairs of the BRICS national parliaments held three debates as part of the Meeting of the Chairs of the Committees on Foreign Affairs of the BRICS Parliaments. The discussions aimed to align strategies for strengthening BRICS on the global stage and to enhance parliamentary actions focused on development and innovation.

The need to reinforce multilateralism and concerns over the expansion of protectionist measures guided the debate titled “Strengthening BRICS Trade in the Current International Landscape,” held in the morning. During the working session, representatives from Brazil, China, and India expressed strong support for multilateralism.

“BRICS provides developing countries with a meaningful platform to voice their concerns and interests, as well as to take an active role in promoting a more just and inclusive international order. We are seriously concerned about the prospect of global economic fragmentation and the weakening of multilateralism,” said Senator Nelsinho Trad (PSD–MS), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Defense in the Brazilian Senate, who presided over the session.

Vijay Baghel, a member of the lower house of India’s Parliament, highlighted the potential for trade among BRICS partners and affirmed his country’s commitment to the principles of multilateralism and to a balanced and just global order.

“In today’s global landscape, there are significant opportunities despite complex economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, including protectionist trends and sanctions that are fuelling a global crisis,” the Indian lawmaker observed.

Sustainable Development and Finance

During the second working session, focused on promoting investment and technology transfer for sustainable development, Congressman Filipe Barros (PL–PR), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, advocated for closer scientific cooperation, the sharing of experiences, and the exchange of knowledge.

Parliamentarians also emphasized the responsibility of countries in addressing the consequences of global warming. Congressman Hussein Fadlulloh, Vice Chair of the Committee on Interparliamentary Cooperation in Indonesia’s House of Representatives, stated that sustainable development is closely linked to technology transfer, but noted that not all countries are able to make significant investments in clean energy — hence the importance of partnerships among BRICS members.

In the third session, parliamentarians discussed financial instruments to build a more resilient and sustainable BRICS. Strengthening the NDB, prioritizing business within the Global South, and adopting more efficient regulations were highlighted as key measures to help transform BRICS into a stronger bloc with a fairer and more secure financial system.

“The proposals presented here today can lay the groundwork for a more resilient BRICS,” said Iranian parliamentarian Ahmad Naderi, as he advocated for joint investments to create a financial shield and reduce dependence on countries in the Global North.

Programme

The opening ceremony of the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum will take place in the Brazilian Senate Chamber on Wednesday (4) at 10:30 a.m. The Forum’s agenda deepens strategic discussions, with sessions on global health, economic development, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and the reform of the multilateral peace and security architecture.

On Thursday (5), the final session will focus on interparliamentary cooperation and will include the adoption of a joint document outlining the main political guidelines discussed over the three-day event. The document will be submitted to the BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro on July 6–7, 2025.