Dilma Rousseff Secures Re-Election as BRICS Bank Chief

Buenos Aires, Mar 24,2025:  Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has been re-elected as the head of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), securing unanimous approval from the bank’s board. The decision reinforces her leadership at the financial institution, which plays a crucial role in funding infrastructure and sustainable development projects across BRICS nations and beyond.

“I was re-elected, the board approved it unanimously,” Rousseff was quoted as saying by O Globo newspaper. Her reappointment signals strong confidence in her leadership, particularly as the BRICS bloc continues to expand its economic influence globally.

The proposal to extend Rousseff’s mandate was put forward by Russia during the BRICS summit in Kazan. Moscow also advocated for Brazil to continue holding the presidency of the NDB, further solidifying the country’s role in shaping the bank’s strategic direction.

Rousseff initially took over as president of the NDB in March 2023, succeeding Marcos Troyjo. Under her leadership, the bank has worked to strengthen financial cooperation among BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—while also expanding partnerships with other developing economies.

Her tenure has been marked by efforts to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar in international transactions, promote sustainable development financing, and support large-scale infrastructure projects. The BRICS bank has increasingly positioned itself as an alternative to Western-dominated financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

With her re-election, Rousseff is expected to continue pushing for greater financial autonomy among BRICS nations, advancing de-dollarization efforts, and fostering economic resilience amid global uncertainties. Her leadership will be instrumental as the BRICS group explores further expansion, with countries like Saudi Arabia, Argentina, and the UAE showing interest in deeper cooperation.

The unanimous decision to extend Rousseff’s tenure underscores the bloc’s commitment to continuity in leadership as it navigates a rapidly evolving global financial landscape.