Rio de Janeiro has officially offered to be the permanent site of the BRICS bloc's headquarters, a move towards institutionalizing the economic group of rising nations. The offer was made by Rio's Mayor, Eduardo Paes, through a letter of intent presented to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after the BRICS 2025 meeting this week at the city's Museum of Modern Art.
BRICS was founded in 2009 and now comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The bloc as a whole accounts for almost 46% of global population and 37% of global GDP. In spite of increasing influence, BRICS has no formal headquarters, permanent secretariat, or specialized diplomatic apparatus.
In support of its offer, Rio's City Hall has put forward the historic Brazilian Jockey Club building, in the heart of the city. Crafted by world-famous modernist architect Lucio Costa best known for designing Brasilia 12-storey building sprawls over 8,300 square metres and boasts landscaping by world-famous artist Roberto Burle Marx. While modernisation is needed, at an estimated cost of R$100 million (US$18 million) according to a 2019 appraisal, the central location and architectural importance of the building are regarded as significant pluses.
City Hall is in negotiations with Jockey Club Brasileiro to acquire control over the building, potentially in a trade for waiving R$220 million in delinquent municipal taxes. Authorities claim the location would be perfect for conducting meetings, keeping offices, and providing a permanent headquarters for BRICS members to better coordinate policies and cooperative work.
"Rio wholeheartedly endorses multilateral action to solidify BRICS as the decisive forum of the 21st century," stated Mayor Paes. "We stand prepared to receive representatives from member nations and offer the required infrastructure and environment to ensure continuous discussion."
Authorities contend that placing the headquarters in Rio would not only enhance Brazil's diplomatic stature but also positively impact the local economy through foreign investment, jobs, and tourism. The recent BRICS summit proved the city to be capable of hosting multinational events, with 36 state delegations and an estimated 4,000 attendees participating.
The headquarters choice would ultimately be left to BRICS member states in the next few months as the block seeks to deepen its global outreach and institutional footprint.
