Rio de Janeiro is seeking to be home to the permanent headquarters of Brics, the economic bloc of emerging nations that currently has no official base of operations. Rio’s mayor, Eduardo Paes, delivered a letter of intent to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva following the Brics 2025 summit held at the city’s Museum of Modern Art earlier this week. Founded in 2009, Brics – whose membership now includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates – represents about 46 per cent of the world’s population and 37 per cent of global GDP. The bloc was created to promote economic cooperation, global governance and sustainable development among emerging and developing economies. The goal of the proposal is to deepen the institutionalisation of the group, which, despite growing cooperation among members, does not yet have an institutional headquarters, a permanent general secretariat or a dedicated diplomatic corps. As part of its bid, Rio’s City Hall has offered the historic building of the Brazilian Jockey Club, in the city centre. Designed by the Modernist architect Lúcio Costa, best known for his work on Brasília’s urban plan, the 12-storey building includes more than 8,300 square metres (nearly 90,000 square feet) of space. Opened in 1972 with landscaping designed by Roberto Burle Marx, the building would require modernisation works estimated at around R$100 million, based on a 2019 assessment. In a statement, Rio’s City Hall said that the building’s central location and historical significance would make it “an appropriate choice for housing an international organisation”. The plan’s viability depends on negotiations between the Jockey Club Brasileiro and City Hall, which was already considering taking control of the property, shown in an Instagram image below, in exchange for writing off R$220 million (US$39.5 million) in unpaid municipal taxes. According to officials, the site could accommodate offices, host meetings and provide a permanent base for Brics representatives to coordinate joint projects, discuss policy and deepen cooperation among member nations. “Rio fully supports multilateral efforts to consolidate Brics as a decisive forum for the 21st century,” Paes said. “We are ready to welcome representatives from member countries and provide the appropriate infrastructure and setting for the group to advance its discussions on an ongoing basis.” City Hall believes that establishing the headquarters in Rio de Janeiro would strengthen Brazil’s diplomatic presence and raise the city’s international profile. Officials say it would also benefit the local economy by attracting foreign investment, boosting tourism and creating new jobs. During the Brics summit, held on Sunday and Monday, Rio hosted leaders and officials from 36 countries and about 4,000 participants. The agenda included closed-door meetings, public forums and cultural activities at several venues, highlighting the city’s capacity to handle large-scale gatherings. The decision on the headquarters will rest with the bloc’s member states, which are expected to review the Rio proposal over the coming months as Brics seeks to expand its global reach and influence.