Let me begin by thanking the New Development Bank for the invitation. I would also like to recognize President Dilma Rousseff for her leadership, and the entire NDB team for their continued commitment to strengthening the Bank and delivering for its members.
The global economy is going through a significant transformation. Geopolitical tensions, climate change, infrastructure gaps, and rapid technological change are reshaping the world and creating major challenges for emerging and developing economies.
In this context, institutions such as the NDB are not only relevant. They are essential.
Since its creation, the Bank has established itself as an important pillar of the international financial architecture for the Global South, with a strong focus on infrastructure and sustainable development.
At the same time, the challenges ahead require us to go further. Today, innovation and technology are at the center of the agenda. A development bank for the 21st century must be able to finance not only physical infrastructure, but also digital and institutional capabilities.
Brazil welcomes the Bank’s recent approval of financing for the first Brazilian Smart Hospital, which is located in São Paulo. This is an example of how innovation, digital technologies, and public infrastructure can improve the quality and efficiency of essential public services, in the benefit of the whole community.
From Brazil’s perspective, another central priority is to reinforce the Bank’s catalytic role. The scale of financing required for climate action, resilient infrastructure, technological transformation and sustainable industrial development goes far beyond what public resources alone can provide.
This is why instruments such as guarantees, blended finance, co-financing arrangements and other risk-sharing instruments can help to improve the bankability of projects, reduce perceived risks and attract private and institutional investors to sectors that are strategic for development. In this context, the implementation of the BRICS Multilateral Guarantees pilots and trade finance operations must be two priority steps ahead for NDB this year.
Other strategic priorities include strengthening local currency financing and coordination among development institutions. By expanding local currency operations and deepening cooperation among multilateral development banks, national institutions, climate funds, and country-led platforms, the NDB can help reduce vulnerabilities, improve project viability, mobilize long-term investment, and better align financing with the development priorities of its members.
For Brazil, it is also a priority that development finance becomes increasingly focused on concrete results. Beyond the volume of resources mobilized, what matters is how effectively financing contributes to productivity, inclusion, and sustainable long-term growth, always aligned with the priorities and development needs of member countries.
To conclude, the NDB was created with a clear vision: to provide responsive and development-oriented financing for its members. That vision remains highly relevant today.
Brazil remains fully committed to supporting this process and to working with all members to ensure that the NDB continues to strengthen its contribution to the sustainable development of our economies.
Thank you very much.