Bilal Bazaz CNI
In a high-profile and forward-looking engagement, global development took center stage as Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank (NDB) and former President of Brazil, held a productive and impactful interaction with key leaders and stakeholders. The conversation, described as “visionary and timely,” focused on reshaping international development priorities in a rapidly changing world.
Rousseff, who now leads the Shanghai-based NDB — also known as the BRICS Bank — brought her signature blend of political experience and economic insight to the table. Known for her tenure as Brazil’s first female president, she emphasized the need for inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure, and stronger South-South cooperation.
“This is not just about financing projects — it’s about building a more balanced global financial architecture,” Rousseff said during the exchange, calling for greater investment in renewable energy, digital connectivity, and resilient urban infrastructure.
The NDB, founded by BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), is positioning itself as a credible alternative to traditional financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Rousseff’s leadership marks a turning point in how developing nations envision their growth trajectory — with more autonomy, equity, and environmental responsibility.
Participants in the meeting praised Rousseff’s practical vision and global understanding, noting that the NDB under her watch has already started redirecting significant funds toward climate-smart, pro-people projects across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
One diplomat at the event remarked, “President Rousseff speaks with the authority of experience and the urgency of someone who understands what is at stake. Her commitment to fairness and real development is unmatched.”
The dialogue also explored potential partnerships with regional banks, grassroots entrepreneurs, and climate innovators, aiming to make development finance more accessible and transformative.
This landmark interaction reinforces the NDB’s growing influence and Rousseff’s ongoing legacy as a champion of emerging economies. As global inequalities widen and climate challenges intensify, such dialogues offer a much-needed platform for alternative ideas, decentralized funding, and collective resilience.
With Rousseff at the helm, the New Development Bank appears poised to become a powerful force for change in the Global South, turning talk into action — and ambition into reality.