In the context of the recent BRICS Summit, Brazil’s presidency faced the complex task of giving coherence to a more diverse bloc while responding to growing global expectations. The Rio Declaration offered important signals, from calls for reform of multilateral institutions to enhanced cooperation on development, technology, and sustainability. A central outcome was the bloc’s landmark commitment to lead efforts for fair climate finance, launching the “Baku to Belém” roadmap ahead of COP30.

This dialogue brings together policymakers, analysts, and key partners to reflect on the outcomes of Brazil’s year at the helm. What progress was made? What challenges remain? And which initiatives, including the BRICS proposal for a new financial architecture for climate and development, have the potential to shape the agenda going forward? More than a retrospective, the discussion will consider the legacy Brazil leaves as India prepares to take on the presidency in 2026.

As global power structures shift, how can BRICS contribute to a more balanced and development-driven international order?