Launch event: Strengthening Sustainable Trade for Food Security and Clean Energy

The Future Horizons Institute and the BRICS Policy Center (BPC/PUC-Rio), in partnership with the Center for Advanced Studies at UFRRJ, invite you to the launch of the reports and presentation of the policy documents for the research project “Strengthening Sustainable Trade for Food Security and Clean Energy,” which will take place on May 29, 2026, at 2 PM, at the BPC headquarters (Rua das Laranjeiras, 307, 3rd floor, Rio de Janeiro), on the eve of Rio Nature and Climate Week.

The reports continue the policy brief prepared by the Future Horizons Institute, BPC, and partners within the framework of the G20 in Brazil in 2024, and analyze the political and economic dimensions of trade in critical minerals between Peru and China, as well as soybean trade between Brazil and China. The study highlights how the actions of Chinese companies affect—and are affected by—public policies in extractive and agricultural supply chains, with relevant implications for governments, investors, companies, and communities. The event will discuss trade between China and Latin America from a political economy perspective, focusing on agricultural and mineral value chains and their impacts on sustainability, food security, and energy transition, bringing together representatives from government, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

Check out the program:

2:00 PM Opening

Marta Fernández, Director of the BRICS Policy Center / PUC-Rio
Ana Saggioro Garcia, Coordinator of CEA, UFRRJ and Researcher at the BRICS Policy Center / PUC-Rio

Presentation of Policy Abstracts
Claudia Melim-McLeod, Director of the Horizontes Futuros Institute
Knut Lakså, Head of Programs at the Horizontes Futuros Institute

2:30 PM Comments – Representatives of the Brazilian Government

Aloisio Lopes Pereira de Melo, National Secretary for Climate Change, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Vitor Mattos Vaz, Deputy Head of the Climate Action Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3:00 PM Comments – Representatives from academia, the private sector, and civil society
Fabiano Escher, Professor at CPDA, UFRRJ
Maria Elena Rodriguez, Vice-Director From the BRICS Policy Center, PUC-Rio
Maureen Santos, Coordinator of the Center for Policies and Alternatives, FASE and Researcher at the BRICS Policy Center / PUC-Rio
Tulio Carielo, Content Director of the Brazil-China Business Council

3:40 PM Debate with the audience

4:15 PM Final answers and closing remarks

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM Reception and networking