BRICS environment ministers adopt joint statement

Brazil began its annual chairship with priorities of global governance reform and cooperation among countries of the Global South.

Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan took part in the new partner category. This status was separate from full membership.

Brazil’s chairship announced Indonesia’s formal entry, bringing Southeast Asia into the full membership after earlier expansion discussions.

Brazil welcomed Nigeria’s acceptance of partner status, widening African participation without making it a full BRICS member.

Brazil set out priorities including health equity, climate cooperation and global governance reform for the expanded group.

After meetings on 28–29 April, Brazil’s chair issued a statement on multilateral reform, peace and Global South cooperation. It was a chair’s statement.

The ministers called for World Trade Organization reform, greater developing-country participation and cooperation on the digital economy.

Ministers linked cultural exchange with inclusion, sustainability and a more plural global order.

The high-level meeting advanced coordinated climate action, energy transition and more equitable climate finance ahead of the Rio summit and COP30.

Legislators called for more inclusive global governance and continued parliamentary cooperation across the expanded grouping.