Photos © Directorate of the IMBRICS Forum
In February 2025, Brazil hosted a series of working meetings organised by the Directorate of the Organising Committee of the IMBRICS Forum, which demonstrated a high level of interaction between municipalities and regions of the participating countries. During the meetings, participants discussed pressing issues, exchanged experience, and developed specific solutions aimed at strengthening partnerships and implementing joint projects. The International Municipal BRICS Forum (IMBRICS Forum) was represented by:
- Vyacheslav Manuylov, Secretary of the Organising Committee of the IMBRICS Forum, Deputy Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow;
- Maria Osipova, Deputy Head of the Directorate of the IMBRICS Forum Organising Committee for Cooperation with Foreign Partners;
- Henrique Domingues, Deputy Head of the Directorate of the IMBRICS Forum Organising Committee for International Projects;
- Pedro Pugliese, IMBRICS Forum Ambassador for Brazil.
Energy and Sustainable Development: Prospects for Cooperation
On February 12, the first of the key meetings took place at the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Brazil, located in the country's capital, Brasília. The Brazilian side was represented by high-ranking officials, including Secretary for Energy Transition and Planning Thiago Vasconcellos Barral Ferreira and Federal Deputy Hugo Leal Melo da Silva.
The main topic of discussion was the prospects for organising joint events in Brazil in May 2025, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the processing of agricultural and urban waste into clean energy and other useful products, such as fertilisers and construction materials. Participants highlighted the successful partnership experience with the municipality of Tanguá in Rio de Janeiro and expressed their intention to scale this initiative to a national level with the support of the Ministry.
The meeting concluded with a decision to establish a working group to develop specific projects under the IMBRICS Forum framework. Additionally, Brazilian partners received an invitation to participate in the IMBRICS Forum in October 2025 and to visit Moscow for further discussions on joint initiatives.
The main topic of discussion was the prospects for organising joint events in Brazil in May 2025, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the processing of agricultural and urban waste into clean energy and other useful products, such as fertilisers and construction materials. Participants highlighted the successful partnership experience with the municipality of Tanguá in Rio de Janeiro and expressed their intention to scale this initiative to a national level with the support of the Ministry.
The meeting concluded with a decision to establish a working group to develop specific projects under the IMBRICS Forum framework. Additionally, Brazilian partners received an invitation to participate in the IMBRICS Forum in October 2025 and to visit Moscow for further discussions on joint initiatives.
Economic Development and Cultural Exchange: Strengthening Ties
On February 14, a meeting was held in Rio de Janeiro at the Guanabara Palace, the seat of the state government, with the participation of the Head of the Secretariat for Economic Development, Fernanda Curdi, international advisors, and other high-ranking officials. Notably, the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Rio de Janeiro, Andrey Petrov, personally attended the meeting.
The main topic of discussion was the presentation of the IMBRICS Forum and the announcement of upcoming activities, including the event in Brazil in May of this year. Participants also discussed the Moscow Government's policies in the field of international and foreign economic relations, focusing on joint projects and the exchange of experience in economic development, industry, and the creative economy.
This meeting underscored the importance of strengthening ties between municipalities and regions of the BRICS countries and allowed participants to discuss new ideas that could be implemented within the framework of the Forum.
The main topic of discussion was the presentation of the IMBRICS Forum and the announcement of upcoming activities, including the event in Brazil in May of this year. Participants also discussed the Moscow Government's policies in the field of international and foreign economic relations, focusing on joint projects and the exchange of experience in economic development, industry, and the creative economy.
This meeting underscored the importance of strengthening ties between municipalities and regions of the BRICS countries and allowed participants to discuss new ideas that could be implemented within the framework of the Forum.
Effective Use of Public Spaces: Sharing Experience
On February 11, another significant meeting took place in Brasília at the iconic Mané Garrincha National Stadium. This stadium, known for hosting matches during the FIFA World Cup, served as a symbolic venue for discussing the effective use of large sports and public spaces. The Brazilian side was represented by Richard Dubois, President of "Arena BSB," the company that has managed the stadium since 2019.
The agenda included discussions on the effective use of stadiums and adjacent areas on non-event days. Representatives of "Arena BSB" shared their successful experience in managing such spaces, which sparked great interest among the Russian delegation.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of Moscow's intentions to continue dialogue for the implementation of joint projects. Brazilian partners received an invitation to participate in the IMBRICS Forum and share their expertise in organising public spaces.
The agenda included discussions on the effective use of stadiums and adjacent areas on non-event days. Representatives of "Arena BSB" shared their successful experience in managing such spaces, which sparked great interest among the Russian delegation.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of Moscow's intentions to continue dialogue for the implementation of joint projects. Brazilian partners received an invitation to participate in the IMBRICS Forum and share their expertise in organising public spaces.
The February meetings in Brazil marked an important step in strengthening cooperation between municipalities and regions of the BRICS countries. Discussions on pressing topics such as energy transition, economic development, and the effective use of public spaces demonstrated that the participating countries are ready for active collaboration and the implementation of ambitious projects.
The IMBRICS Forum continues to prove its significance as a platform for exchanging experience and developing solutions aimed at improving the quality of life in cities and regions. The success of the meetings in Brazil is not only a step forward in the development of international cooperation but also a strong signal that the future of the BRICS countries is built on mutual trust, the exchange of experience, and joint efforts.
The IMBRICS Forum continues to prove its significance as a platform for exchanging experience and developing solutions aimed at improving the quality of life in cities and regions. The success of the meetings in Brazil is not only a step forward in the development of international cooperation but also a strong signal that the future of the BRICS countries is built on mutual trust, the exchange of experience, and joint efforts.