emirates7 - The UAE, through its Ministry of Finance, has hosted its first BRICS-related event — the BRICS Finance Track Working Group Taskforce on Public-Private Partnership and Infrastructure (TFPPPI). The meeting took place in Abu Dhabi from May 5 to 6 and brought together senior government officials, international specialists, representatives from major financial institutions, and leaders from the private sector.
As part of the event, the Ministry of Finance held a high-level seminar titled "A New Era of Growth: Reimagining Infrastructure Financing in BRICS Countries," which focused on developing innovative funding methods for infrastructure and expanding public-private partnership (PPP) models.
The visiting delegation also toured Masdar City, where they were introduced to leading UAE-based PPP projects in areas such as energy, sustainability, and transport, demonstrating the nation's commitment to pioneering effective and forward-looking approaches to infrastructure development and financing.
Key attendees included Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Finance; Antonio Freitas and Ambassador Tatiana Rosito from Brazil’s Ministry of Finance; and Brazilian Ambassador to the UAE, Sidney Leon Romero.
AlKhoori underscored that hosting this event and its accompanying seminar reflects the UAE’s increasing influence as a reliable global economic partner. He emphasized the nation's focus on fostering sustainable development through dynamic private-sector collaboration and flexible financing models in strategic sectors like education, clean energy, healthcare, and transport.
He stated, “Forging stronger public-private partnerships is a core objective of the UAE’s long-term development vision. We aim to financing frameworks that not only ensure financial returns but also deliver meaningful social and environmental outcomes.”
He added that these engagements are vital in building a lasting platform for knowledge exchange among BRICS members and partners, especially in the face of global challenges that demand enhanced international cooperation and inventive financing solutions.
Ambassador Tatiana Rosito, representing Brazil’s BRICS presidency, expressed gratitude to the UAE for its support and partnership. She noted that the seminar marks a significant step toward deepening BRICS cooperation and advancing joint efforts to finance impactful infrastructure initiatives.
She remarked, “This Task Force meeting symbolizes our collective ambition to expand BRICS collaboration. Its real value lies in the strengthened relationships and emerging opportunities for joint action among our countries.”
Masdar City CEO Ahmed Baghoum described the BRICS delegation's visit as a testament to the city’s rising international profile as a leader in sustainable urban development via PPP models. He highlighted key initiatives such as the Siemens Energy regional HQ, IRENA HQ, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI, along with the Masdar City Free Zone, which hosts over 1,500 companies in sectors like AI, clean tech, and renewables.
“These projects showcase how the UAE is embracing advanced infrastructure financing models and reimagining urban development. We believe international collaboration is essential to achieving sustainable, socially impactful growth,” Baghoum said.
The seminar included several sessions that explored major infrastructure financing challenges and opportunities, drawing from BRICS nations’ experiences and global success stories. Topics included innovative financing strategies for social infrastructure like housing, healthcare, and education, as well as blended finance approaches for climate-resilient projects.
Discussions also focused on best practices in project preparation and structuring, risk mitigation strategies, and the role of insurance in infrastructure development. The second day featured detailed exchanges on policy implementation from both government and industry perspectives, with a forward-looking view on the future of PPPs and infrastructure investment amid shifting economic and technological dynamics.
As part of the event, the Ministry of Finance held a high-level seminar titled "A New Era of Growth: Reimagining Infrastructure Financing in BRICS Countries," which focused on developing innovative funding methods for infrastructure and expanding public-private partnership (PPP) models.
The visiting delegation also toured Masdar City, where they were introduced to leading UAE-based PPP projects in areas such as energy, sustainability, and transport, demonstrating the nation's commitment to pioneering effective and forward-looking approaches to infrastructure development and financing.
Key attendees included Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Finance; Antonio Freitas and Ambassador Tatiana Rosito from Brazil’s Ministry of Finance; and Brazilian Ambassador to the UAE, Sidney Leon Romero.
AlKhoori underscored that hosting this event and its accompanying seminar reflects the UAE’s increasing influence as a reliable global economic partner. He emphasized the nation's focus on fostering sustainable development through dynamic private-sector collaboration and flexible financing models in strategic sectors like education, clean energy, healthcare, and transport.
He stated, “Forging stronger public-private partnerships is a core objective of the UAE’s long-term development vision. We aim to financing frameworks that not only ensure financial returns but also deliver meaningful social and environmental outcomes.”
He added that these engagements are vital in building a lasting platform for knowledge exchange among BRICS members and partners, especially in the face of global challenges that demand enhanced international cooperation and inventive financing solutions.
Ambassador Tatiana Rosito, representing Brazil’s BRICS presidency, expressed gratitude to the UAE for its support and partnership. She noted that the seminar marks a significant step toward deepening BRICS cooperation and advancing joint efforts to finance impactful infrastructure initiatives.
She remarked, “This Task Force meeting symbolizes our collective ambition to expand BRICS collaboration. Its real value lies in the strengthened relationships and emerging opportunities for joint action among our countries.”
Masdar City CEO Ahmed Baghoum described the BRICS delegation's visit as a testament to the city’s rising international profile as a leader in sustainable urban development via PPP models. He highlighted key initiatives such as the Siemens Energy regional HQ, IRENA HQ, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI, along with the Masdar City Free Zone, which hosts over 1,500 companies in sectors like AI, clean tech, and renewables.
“These projects showcase how the UAE is embracing advanced infrastructure financing models and reimagining urban development. We believe international collaboration is essential to achieving sustainable, socially impactful growth,” Baghoum said.
The seminar included several sessions that explored major infrastructure financing challenges and opportunities, drawing from BRICS nations’ experiences and global success stories. Topics included innovative financing strategies for social infrastructure like housing, healthcare, and education, as well as blended finance approaches for climate-resilient projects.
Discussions also focused on best practices in project preparation and structuring, risk mitigation strategies, and the role of insurance in infrastructure development. The second day featured detailed exchanges on policy implementation from both government and industry perspectives, with a forward-looking view on the future of PPPs and infrastructure investment amid shifting economic and technological dynamics.