Representatives from renowned think tanks, scholars, and experts from China and Brazil have gathered in Rio de Janeiro for a seminar within the China-Brazil Cooperation and Global Governance Conference, focusing on the need for reform in global governance.
Co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Brazilian Center for International Relations, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the China-Brazil Cooperation and Global Governance Conference featured discussions on multilateralism, global governance, sustainable development, and ways to enhance collaboration between the two sides.
The seminar took place as the two countries commemorated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
China and Brazil are key players in the Global South, and both countries have been working together to advance the interests of emerging markets. Increasing attention is being paid to how these two nations can collaborate in shaping a new world order.
Brazil's Minister of Innovation and Management, Esther Dweck, was one of the high-level speakers at the event.
"We believe that the Global South, led by China and other countries like Brazil, will have to, in some way—and, in fact, as I mentioned—change global governance. President Lula has been pressing for this since his first two mandates. And when he came back, he saw that the world was even less open to the Global South. We are trying, with partners like China, in order to press the special multilateral institutions to change their governance," she said.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a strong proponent of multilateralism and Global South cooperation. The creation of the BRICS group in 2006 was one of the cornerstones of his foreign policy during his first term.
Minister Dweck emphasized the importance of exchanging knowledge to advance shared interests.
"We are also strengthening our view on the role of the Global South in the world. For us, it is very important that the Global South plays a stronger role in the world. And having a meeting like this, where scholars from both countries—from China and Brazil—come together, is very important in order to move ahead," she said.
Gao Haihong, director of the Research Center for International Finance at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized the significance of establishing the New Development Bank in 2014.
"Don't forget China and Brazil, we co-founded the BRICS New Development Bank, which is really a new public good, providing to the global financial architecture. We take actions to foster further cooperation, not only between our two countries but also as a group of emerging economies," Gao said.
The president of Brazil's National Development Bank, Aloizio Mercadante, emphasized that Brazil and China share common ambitions on a wide range of key issues.
"We, Brazil and China, share common ambitions and a lot of convergence, especially with President Lula's government. We support diplomatic and strategic initiatives, particularly those aimed at peace, global stability, growth, poverty reduction, and initiatives to combat the climate crisis," he said, addressing the seminar.
Seminar explores ways for China, Brazil to cooperate in improving global governance
