Lula Invites Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay to Participate in BRICS Summit

Brazil’s President Lula invites Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay to the BRICS summit in July 2023, aiming to discuss reducing reliance on the US dollar and promoting local currencies. Lula emphasizes the need for broader dialogue to strengthen multilateralism and international trade, particularly in areas like energy transition and climate efforts. He also committed to furthering Brazil’s partnership with Uruguay at the meeting, where discussions on integrating technology in South America were held.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva extended an invitation to Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay for the forthcoming BRICS summit scheduled for July in Rio de Janeiro. This summit, comprising Brazil, China, and India, represents approximately 40% of the global population and aims to discuss strategies for reducing reliance on the US dollar by enhancing the use of local currencies in international transactions.

President Lula highlighted the significance of expanding dialogue to include additional countries, thereby reinforcing multilateralism and stimulating international trade. His invitation was made during a visit to Montevideo for the inauguration of Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi, emphasizing the summit’s objective of consolidating economic and political strategies to elevate South America’s role in global alliances.

Lula noted that BRICS represents nearly 50% of the world’s population and a comparable share of the global GDP. He stressed the necessity of creating a joint document that reaffirms commitments to free trade and cooperation among nations, asserting, “The BRICS are not a small thing. They have almost half of humanity.”

Moreover, Lula committed to enhancing Brazil’s collaboration with Uruguay in important areas such as South American integration, Mercosur, energy transition, and the defense of democracy, stating, “We will work together on the climate agenda.”

In conjunction with the inauguration, President Orsi met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss integrating technology between Uruguay and Colombia. Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin noted that discussions focused on advancing South American integration, which remains a pending agenda item, and Petro mentioned the importance of technological development, particularly in algorithms and artificial intelligence.

In summary, President Lula’s invitation to Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay for the BRICS summit signifies a commitment to strengthening multilateral relations and economic cooperation among South American countries. The summit aims to reduce dependence on the US dollar and enhance local currency transactions while fostering South American integration and a collaborative approach to addressing global challenges.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com