The 2025 BRICS Business Forum officially opened today in Rio de Janeiro, gathering high-level officials, business leaders, and global stakeholders to chart a shared course for sustainable development, innovation, and inclusive growth among the BRICS nations.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opened the event by underlining the centrality of the productive sector in BRICS cooperation.

“The entrepreneurs gathered here are the dynamic axis of the international economy. Together, the BRICS countries already represent over 40 per cent of global GDP in purchasing power parity,” he stated.

He highlighted that BRICS nations outpaced global economic growth in 2024 with an average rate of 4 per cent, compared to the world’s 3.3 per cent, and noted the group’s potential as a “hub for prosperous and dynamic economies.”

President Lula also praised the presence of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, current ASEAN Chair, as a sign of growing ties between BRICS and Southeast Asia.

“We have much to learn from developing countries in terms of synergy,” Lula stated, stressing the importance of multilateralism, food security, and a reformed international financial architecture.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Anwar echoed Lula’s vision for deeper South-South cooperation.

“What is spectacular in BRICS is the active role of the private sector, women, and youth. We are here to provide a voice for multilateralism and justice, a voice that includes the Global South, yet still engages the North as partners.”

He called on the group to “implement, not just discuss,” citing regional efforts between Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and China to trade in local currencies as an example of actionable change.

In turn, Geraldo Alckmin, Vice President of the Federative Republic of Brazil and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, emphasised Brazil’s leadership in sustainable development. He noted Brazil’s clean energy credentials, with 85 per cent of its electricity from renewables, and its commitment to sustainable aviation fuel, reforestation, and carbon reduction.

“We are committed to a zero-illegal-deforestation target. COP30, which we will host in Belem, will be a pivotal moment for global climate leadership,” he said.

The forum also spotlighted the role of women in economic transformation. Monica Monteiro, BRICS WBA Chair, called for gender inclusion to be treated as a core development strategy.

“Women represent 48 per cent of small businesses in Brazil. Inclusion is not charity; it is a competitive advantage. From the shop floor to exports, the female perspective is reshaping markets. We must turn contact into contract.”

In an exclusive commentary for TV BRICS, Lebohang Zulu, Chairperson of the BRICS WBA South Africa Chapter, emphasised the urgency of reimagining systems for a multipolar world.

“We are here to redesign what tomorrow would look like in a multipolar world. And for that, from that perspective, there’s an asset, an asset called BRICS women.”

According to participants, as the forum continues with key panels on trade, food security, and energy transition, a common message has emerged: BRICS and its partners, including ASEAN countries, are leading a new era of cooperation based on inclusion, innovation, and sustainability.

Photo: TV BRICS