Listen to this article

At Rio Forum, Lula Presses BRICS for Multilateral Trade and Global AI Rules

19 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated Jul 6, 2025, 12:37 AM

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the BRICS Business Forum in Rio de Janeiro on 5 July, addressing executives and officials from the 11-nation group that now accounts for more than 40 percent of world output in purchasing-power terms. Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joined the session, organised by Brazil’s industry confederation CNI and held on the eve of the BRICS heads-of-state summit scheduled for 6–7 July.

Lula urged the emerging economies to defend a rules-based, multilateral trading system and to press for reforms to the international financial architecture, arguing that renewed protectionism threatens global growth. He cited Brazil’s US$210 billion in trade with other BRICS members last year and highlighted the New Development Bank’s approval of US$40 billion for 120 projects as evidence of the bloc’s economic weight.

Turning to technology, the president warned that, without ‘collectively agreed directives’, artificial-intelligence standards would be set unilaterally by large technology companies. He called for a multilateral framework to govern AI’s risks and ensure the benefits of the technology are shared more broadly.

Lula also said a global ‘vacuum of leadership’ is exacerbating conflicts and other crises, linking peace to long-term prosperity. After the forum he held bilateral meetings with representatives from Ethiopia, Vietnam, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates and China, seeking to align positions ahead of the leaders’ summit.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

Jornalismo TV Cultura

@jornal_cultura

On the eve of the BRICS summit of heads of state, which begins tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, President Lula defended the commercial multilateralism of emerging countries. Defense took place during the BRICS Business Forum, also in Rio de Janeiro. #JornaldaCultura #JC

CNN Brasil

@CNNBrasil

Lula: It's up to the emerging countries to defend multilateralism; watch #AgoraCNN

Band Jornalismo

@BandJornalismo

At the opening of the BRICS Business Forum, President Lula defended the creation of clear and collective rules on artificial intelligence.

Metrópoles

@Metropoles

➡️ BRICS: “Leadership vacuum” aggravates global crises, defends Lula President participated, this Saturday morning (5/7), in the BRICS business forum, promoted by the CNI Read:

Fernando Rodrigues

@FR_BSB

Lula defends creating “multilateral governance” for rules on AI. According to the PT member, the development of technology without “clear guidelines” brings “risks and side effects”. via @Poder360