Rio de Janeiro: The Funda§o Getulio Vargas (FGV), through its International Affairs Division (FGV DINT), in partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Brazil, hosted an exclusive fireside chat with Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, at FGV's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event, titled BRICS and Beyond: A High-Level Dialogue, brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, leaders from both the public and private sectors, and FGV students. The discussions focused on the UAE's role in BRICS, key opportunities arising from the growing strategic partnership between the UAE and Brazil, and cooperation across Latin America and Mercosur.
Reem Al Hashimy emphasized the UAE's vision for deeper collaboration with Brazil in areas such as trade, 'green' technology, renewable energy, sustainability, and innovation-driven sectors. She highlighted that the UAE values diversity as a strength and aims to build bridges through dialogue, partnerships, and shared prosperity.
As a member of BRICS, the UAE sees the group as a crucial platform for cooperation among emerging economies and an opportunity to contribute to global peace, stability, and inclusive economic growth. Al Hashimy noted that the UAE's engagement in BRICS aligns with its broader foreign policy focus on cultural multilateralism and constructive engagement in key international arenas.
Al Hashimy also outlined the UAE's strategic objectives within BRICS, including strengthening economic cooperation with Member States, reinforcing its role as a global economic hub, and expanding its network of strategic partnerships.
She reiterated the UAE's commitment to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, in line with the UAE Consensus, an agreement signed by 198 parties at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai in 2023. Al Hashimy discussed bilateral initiatives like joint ventures in solar energy and strategic minerals and highlighted a January 2025 Memorandum of Understanding aimed at boosting investment and facilitating technology transfer in sectors such as mineral processing and 'green' energy.
The importance of people-to-people connections was also emphasized as a foundation for long-term bilateral engagement, with educational, cultural, and professional exchanges serving as strategic tools to strengthen ties between the UAE and Brazil.
The fireside chat, moderated by journalist Catherine Osborn, was opened by FGV President Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, who stressed the significance of education in fostering long-term cooperation and mutual understanding. He highlighted FGV's role as a global platform for academic exchange and policy dialogue and reaffirmed the institution's commitment to promoting strategic partnerships that connect Brazil to key regions of the world, including the Gulf.
Marlos Lima, Director for International Affairs at FGV, remarked that such dialogues with the UAE are essential for preparing future leaders to face global challenges with technical expertise, ethics, and a global perspective. They are also crucial for strengthening international cooperation through education and knowledge-sharing.
The event provided a platform for open, forward-looking discussions, reinforcing the evolving Brazil-UAE partnership and reflecting FGV and the UAE Embassy's shared commitment to fostering high-level dialogue, strategic cooperation, and global engagement.