This July 6 and 7, the eyes of the world will turn to Brazil as the BRICS Summit 2025 lands in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. And no, it’s not a beach party (although Copacabana is just around the corner).
The BRICS Summit, a yearly gathering of some of the world’s most powerful developing economies, will take place this year at the iconic Museum of Modern Art (MAM) in Rio de Janeiro. It’s a fitting spot: modern, bold, and right in the middle of one of the most vibrant cities on Earth.
Today, we’ll explain what BRICS is all about, where and when the BRICS Summit 2025 will happen, why Rio was chosen to host it, who’s attending, and why it all matters, especially for those learning Portuguese or exploring Brazilian culture.
What is BRICS anyway?
Great question. BRICS started as a bloc of major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. But the story doesn’t stop there. In a move to expand its influence and better reflect today’s global dynamics, BRICS recently welcomed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia. Together, these 11 countries represent over 40% of the world’s population and a significant portion of global GDP and natural resources.

When these leaders meet at the summit, they’re not just sipping coffee. Expect high-level discussions on global governance reform, promoting trade in local currencies (yep, not everything is about the dollar anymore), energy cooperation, food and water security, climate sustainability, and fighting inequality. This year, Brazil is pushing hard for fairer global markets and amplifying voices from the Global South, think of it as the world’s underrepresented majority finally grabbing the mic. Let’s answer some often raised ques
Image source: Wikimedia Commons – BRICS 2025 Brazilian chairmanship logo (Public domain)
So where does Brazil fit into all this?
Is Brazil in BRICS? Yes, Brazil is a founding member of BRICS and plays a leading role in shaping the group’s direction.
Why is Brazil in BRICS? As Latin America’s largest economy and an influential voice among developing nations, Brazil participates in BRICS to promote equitable global development, support trade among emerging markets, and strengthen cooperation on energy, sustainability, and multilateral governance.
Where and when is the BRICS Summit happening?
The BRICS Rio de Janeiro 2025 summit will be held on July 6 and 7, 2025, at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) in downtown Rio. This stunning venue, nestled between the bay and the city, offers panoramic views and a strong cultural presence, perfect for showcasing Brazil’s global role.
Want to know more about MAM Rio before the world leaders get there? Check out our Dica about this modern art gem: MAM Rio de Janeiro – Modern Art Museum
Expect high-level security, a major media presence, and the entire Flamengo Park area buzzing with activity.
Why Rio Was Chosen to Host
Because Rio knows how to host a party, and a summit. After events like the G20 and the 2016 Olympics, the city has the experience, infrastructure, and iconic beauty to welcome the world again. Hosting the BRICS Rio de Janeiro 2025 summit puts Brazil (and Rio!) in the spotlight as a key voice among emerging powers.
Plus, it’s a chance to show off a bit: the summit venue, MAM Rio, is not only an architectural gem but also sits right by the sea with views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Try beating that, next host.

Who’s coming?
Who’s packing their bags for Rio? The BRICS Rio de Janeiro 2025 Summit will bring together some of the most powerful names on the global stage:
- Brazil – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
- Russia – President Vladimir Putin
- India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- China – President Xi Jinping
- South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Saudi Arabia – Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (to be confirmed)
- Egypt – President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
- United Arab Emirates – President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- Ethiopia – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
- Iran – President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian (to be confirmed)
- Indonesia – President-elect Prabowo Subianto
Partner countries expected to attend: including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan
So yes, the BRICS Rio 2025 summit will be packed with power talks (and hopefully, pastel and caipirinha breaks too).

Why should Brazilian culture lovers care?
Events like the BRICS summit are a goldmine of vocabulary and cultural insights. You’ll hear political terms, international relations lingo, and very Brazilian ways of welcoming the world. Want to impress your Portuguese teacher? Learn how to say geopolítica (geopolitics), cooperação energética (energy cooperation), and acordo multilateral (multilateral agreement). And while you’re at it, keep an eye on the news, it’s a great way to practice your Portuguese and grow your political vocabulary. For a head start, check out our Dica on how Brazil’s political system works.
Thinking about joining the BRICS fun in person? Unless you’re a diplomat, official delegate, or a very lucky journalist, you’ll have to watch from the sidelines. But don’t fret, Rio will be buzzing with side events, cultural happenings, and international energy. If you’re in town, brace for high security, traffic changes, and maybe even a surprise samba show (because, Rio). And hey, even if you can’t get into the summit, you’re always welcome at Rio & Learn!
Quick recap before you go:
- BRICS is coming to Rio! The 2025 summit will take place July 6–7 at the stunning MAM Rio.
- Eleven member nations and a handful of guest countries will gather to talk business, politics, development, and global balance.
- Big topics on the table include energy cooperation, new trade systems, and stronger representation for the Global South.
- No ticket? No problem! You may not attend the summit, but the city will be alive with international energy, and you’re always welcome at Rio & Learn.
- Curious about Brazilian politics or global affairs in Portuguese? This is your moment to shine and expand your vocab.
Get ready to hear a lot more about BRICS in the coming weeks. And hey, practice your “bom dia“, you never know who you might bump into at the bakery!
A native Brazilian Portuguese speaker with a degree in Languages (Portuguese and English) from UFRJ, she has over eight years of experience teaching languages, specializing in Portuguese for international students. Passionate about communication, she combines creativity and precision to make learning Portuguese engaging, enjoyable, and culturally immersive. Her global experience and strong connection with diverse cultures enable her to create dynamic, tailored lessons for learners worldwide.