The Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI) participated in a series of meetings and discussions in New York from September 21 to 24, as part of the 81st United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week NYC 2026. The program brought together leaders, experts, representatives of international organizations, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss strategic issues shaping the future of global cooperation and sustainable development.
On the first day (21), José Pio Borges, Chair of CEBRI’s Board of Trustees, and Fernanda Cimini, Senior Fellow at CEBRI and professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), took part in “A Call to Action for Renewed International Cooperation,” organized by The Rockefeller Foundation. Alongside Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Rajiv Shah, participants discussed the need to renew international cooperation in response to contemporary challenges and the growing complexity of the global landscape.
On Tuesday (22), CEBRI experts participated in two events. The first, focused on the critical minerals agenda, was “Accelerating the Global Governance of Critical and Strategic Energy Transition Minerals: From Shared Principles to COP31.” Senior Fellows Fernanda Cimini and Rafaela Guedes represented CEBRI at the event.
The second gathering, held in partnership with Open Society Foundations, was “From Paraty to New York: Reinvigorating Global Cooperation in a Fragmented World.”
The initiative built on discussions launched during the first edition of Paraty Dialogues, held in August, bringing together Brazilian and international leaders to reflect on the future of the international order. In addition to José Pio Borges and Fernanda Cimini representing CEBRI, participants included Pedro Abramovay, Vice President of Programs at Open Society Foundations; Susana Malcorra, President and Co-Founder of GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion; Thant Myint-U, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation; and Trita Parsi, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
When Ambassador Antonio Patriota conceived this bridge from Paraty to New York, at this particularly significant moment marked by the opening of the 81st UN General Assembly, his vision was not only to highlight and share the key insights that emerged from the Dialogues, but also to identify practical opportunities for collaboration, and to build momentum for continued engagement with a broader audience", stated Pio.
Among the issues discussed were the risks of reaching a systemic tipping point amid the persistent paralysis of institutions dedicated to peace, security, trade, and international cooperation. The discussion also addressed intergenerational responsibility, the formation of coalitions around shared objectives, and the need to promote systemic renewal without waiting for comprehensive institutional reforms.
On Wednesday (23), CEBRI participated in the launch of the Global Polis Implementation Lab, held in partnership with the Institute of Urbanism and Metropolitan Studies (URBEM). The event, under the theme “Cities as Platforms for Climate Implementation: Territorial Intelligence, Finance and Urban Diplomacy in a Fragmenting World,” addressed the role of cities as platforms for climate implementation, with a focus on territorial intelligence, finance, and urban diplomacy.
José Pio Borges, Chair of CEBRI’s Board of Trustees; Fernanda Cimini, Senior Fellow at CEBRI and professor at UFMG; and Philip Yang, Senior Fellow at CEBRI, participated in the event.
As CEBRI’s New York program came to a close, the organization took part in two additional events on Thursday (24). The first was “The Future of Multilateralism: Leadership for a Changing World,” held in partnership with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The event focused on the challenges and prospects for multilateral leadership amid transformations in the international order.
Finally, the delegation participated in Brazil Climate Futures, part of the Climate Week NYC 2026 program. Under the theme “Brazil 2030: Visions of Prosperity in a Climate-Constrained World,” the discussion explored Brazil’s prospects for prosperity amid changes in climate policies, global supply chains, and international markets. José Pio Borges, Chair of CEBRI’s Board of Trustees, assessed the current outlook for renewable energy development in the context of the energy transition:
“The world will depend on oil for at least one generation. At the same time, it is moving rapidly toward electrification, led by China. I believe energy security has become as important as the energy transition. Brazil is well positioned, as we have no conflicts and are an excellent alternative for those dependent on the Middle East. The results are already visible as we increase exports to Europe and India. It is inevitable.”
