The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations met at the end of April in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, exchanging views on major global and regional trends and issues. The group welcomed nine new “partner countries” including Uganda and Nigeria, and welcomed Indonesia as a member of BRICS. In a Chair’s Statement following the meeting, the group reiterated previous complaints it has championed about the rise of unilateral trade measures (such as the CBAM), which they believe are inconsistent with WTO rules, including the abuse of green policies for protectionist purposes. The Ministers took note of a proposal to establish a BRICS Laboratory on Trade, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, to promote collaboration on mutually supportive approaches to trade and environmental policy. They also looked forward to advancing the implementation of the 2024 BRICS Carbon Market Partnership MoU to strengthen collaboration among BRICS members.
