Intervenção do Ministro Mauro Vieira na Reunião de Chanceleres do BRICS, à margem do Debate Geral da 80ª AGNU - Nova York, 26 setembro de 2025

Excellencies,

Distinguished Colleagues,

I would like to extend my gratitude once again to all BRICS members for their constructive engagement in our meetings held in Rio de Janeiro, during the Brazilian BRICS Chairship, and also on the virtual leaders’ gathering held recently, under the initiative of President Lula. I thank India for organizing this meeting at the margins of the High-Level Week and wish my Indian colleague and friend, Dr. Jaishankar, all the success as it prepares to take on the BRICS Chairship in 2026.

We happen to live today in a world of troubling events and rising disorder, where some leaders advocate falsely simple solutions to truly complex problems. Multilateralism as we know it – or knew it – stands on the brink of disruption as we witness the proliferation of reckless unilateralism and intimidation. We see deliberate and unprecedented attacks on the principles enshrined in the San Francisco Charter and on the very foundations of the multilateral order agreed upon in 1945.

BRICS itself has been the target of some of these attacks, as well as most of our nations. But have no illusion: there is no possible individualistic response to this crisis. BRICS coordination, as a united front in defense of multipolarity and multilateralism, has never been so relevant.

We must firmly resist unilateral measures, which undermine trust, distort trade, and erode an imperfect but still functioning international order. We must stand together in rejecting the ‘rule of force’ and recommit to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

An open, transparent, and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core, remains essential for global stability and development.

The paralysis of its dispute settlement mechanism has allowed for further trade fragmentation and the proliferation of unilateral measures. On the negotiation pillar, core areas of interest for developing countries remain not adequately addressed, and the current rules of procedure, based on consensus, make it difficult for us to agree on a path to move forward.

We urgently need a deeply reformed World Trade Organization. Brazil is working on a proposal that we hope will be able to foster debate. We must preserve the WTO as a multilateral body that is fair, inclusive, effective and development-oriented.

Excellencies,

Effective multilateralism must have the United Nations at its center. But for the UN to meet the challenges of our time, it must be reformed. Brazil advocates for a comprehensive and ambitious reform of the Organization and its Charter, in accordance with its Article 109. The UN of 1945 is simply not fit for the purposes and challenges of our time. Climate change, digital networks, artificial intelligence and sustainable development are just the few newest areas not covered at all or not adequately addressed under our founding Charter.

Central to this transformation is the reform of the Security Council. We must expand both its permanent and non-permanent membership, making it more legitimate, representative, equitable, responsive, and effective. A Council that reflects the geopolitical realities of the 21st century will be better equipped to fulfill its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. In this respect, I thank BRICS countries for their constructive engagement during our Summit in Rio de Janeiro, last July. BRICS has once again given its united voice in favor of an ambitious reform of the Council, an issue at the core of the group’s agenda.

Dear friends,

The 80th anniversary of the United Nations is not only a moment of remembrance, it is a call to action. It is a reminder that the vision of peace, justice, and cooperation enshrined in the UN Charter must be renewed in each generation.

Our time is one of refoundation. BRICS countries have a unique role to play in this endeavor. Our diversity is our strength. Our commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and equitable development is the compass that can guide the international community towards a future where prosperity is shared, conflicts are resolved peacefully, and human dignity is upheld everywhere.

Thank you.