Recently, an important public hearing took place in Brasília, the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil, where congress members and experts gathered to discuss Brazil’s role in the creation of a multipolar world. The event, called by Deputies General Pazuello and Celso Russomano, was hosted by the Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defense of the Chamber of Deputies. The focus was on Brazil’s position within the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Lucas Leiroz, co-founder and cochairman of the BRICS Journalists Association, was invited to participate in the discussion as a representative of the organization. Leiroz, along with other experts, emphasized that Brazil must create its own independent agenda within BRICS, avoiding automatic alignments and focusing on strengthening its economic position within the bloc. He argued that Brazil should take advantage of BRICS’ initiatives to promote domestic development and reindustrialization.
Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança praised the decentralization and sovereignty respect within BRICS and highlighted the bloc’s role in challenging the dominance of the U.S. dollar. However, he also pointed out that Brazil needs to define its own agenda and strengthen its institutions. Notably, Orleans e Bragança also viewed BRICS as a potential successor to the UN, a perspective shared by other speakers at the hearing. They argued that BRICS could manage the future geopolitical order, as traditional international organizations have failed in this regard.
A critical issue raised during the hearing was Brazil’s lack of investment in key areas such as innovation, technology, defense, and infrastructure. Commander Robinson Farinazzo, a representative of the Navy, warned that without a solid strategy in these areas, Brazil risks being the weakest member of BRICS, instead of a country with a clear, assertive agenda. Professor Ricardo Cabral also expressed concerns over Brazil’s delay in defense technology and hoped for solutions through BRICS cooperation.
Military analyst Rodolfo Laterza and Colonel Marco Antônio Freitas, former Defense Attaché in Moscow, emphasized the opportunities for Brazil in various BRICS multilateral cooperation projects, particularly in Russo-Brazilian relations.
In his remarks, Leiroz stressed that Brazil should go beyond simply being part of BRICS and should actively shape its own agenda within the group. He called for the creation of specific forums and events that would allow Brazil to influence BRICS’ discussions, thereby amplifying the country’s voice and effectiveness in international affairs.
The hearing underscored the potential and challenges for Brazil within BRICS, featuring the importance of an independent Brazilian stance to maximize the benefits of the bloc while maintaining its autonomy. The event also highlighted a shift in the Brazilian political landscape, with right-wing parliamentarians aligning with the view that BRICS could replace the UN as the future foundation of geopolitical order.
This public hearing marked an important step in the development of Brazil’s vision for its role within BRICS and its growing influence in shaping a multipolar world. Furthermore, it was a big gain for the BRICS Journalists Association in Brazil, since it was possible to show our work to the Brazilian public.
