Brasília – Negotiations on critical minerals and the economic impacts of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine will be the main topics discussed by Brazil at upcoming BRICS and G7 meetings, Finance Minister Dario Durigan said Tuesday (12) in an interview with a TV Brasil program.
The minister will arrive in Moscow on Thursday (14) to attend a meeting of the New Development Bank, established by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). On Monday (18), he will travel to France for the meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors, in which Brazil will participate as a guest country.
The trips come amid rising global geopolitical tensions and are part of the Brazilian government’s strategy to anticipate scenarios of international instability in order to protect sectors such as fuels, agribusiness, and mining.
The minister said Brazil intends to consolidate its position as a strategic partner in mineral resources and technology, while also seeking to expand international cooperation in areas considered sensitive to the Brazilian economy.
Moscow meetings
At the BRICS Bank, the focus will be discussing ways to protect the Brazilian economy from the effects of international wars, especially regarding fuel prices and agribusiness.
The minister plans to meet with representatives from India, Middle Eastern countries, and other bloc members to assess economic scenarios amid international instability.
Another key topic in the meetings will be preserving investments financed by the New Development Bank.
Critical minerals
The issue of critical minerals will also be taken to both Russia and France. The Brazilian government aims to turn the country into one of the world’s leading suppliers of raw materials considered essential for the technology industry and the energy transition.
Among the minerals mentioned are rare earths, niobium, and graphene. China currently leads global production of these materials, while Brazil seeks to consolidate its position as the world’s second-largest reserve holder.
According to Durigan, the new legal framework recently approved by Brazil’s Congress aims to provide legal certainty for foreign investors without giving up national control over the resources. “In Brazil, we want to provide legal certainty for a business that matters to the world: critical minerals,” he said
G7 meeting
In Paris, Durigan will take part in meetings related to the G7, the group of the world’s seven richest democracies. In addition to discussions on strategic minerals, the meetings are expected to address global security, the economic impacts of wars, and alternatives for geopolitical stabilization.
According to Durigan, Brazil intends to position itself as a reliable alternative supplier of critical minerals amid global dependence on China. The economic team also aims to expand negotiations with European countries interested in investing in Brazil’s mining sector under the new exploration rules.
Foreign investment
The trips will also focus on attracting foreign investment to technology and infrastructure sectors. According to the minister, previous talks with German companies during the Hanover Fair, held in Germany in April, opened the door for future industrial facilities in Brazil.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
