Rio Offers BRICS a Home: City Seeks Economic Boost With Headquarters Bid

Rio de Janeiro has officially offered the historic Jockey Club Brasileiro building to become the permanent headquarters for BRICS, the group of major emerging economies.

The city’s mayor sent a letter to Brazil’s president after the 2025 BRICS Summit, confirming Rio’s interest. The building, empty since 2013, sits in the city center and covers 83,500 square meters.

BRICS, which started in 2009, now includes 11 countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.

Together, these nations make up 46% of the world’s population and about 37% of global GDP. The group does not have a permanent headquarters yet.

City officials believe hosting BRICS would bring more foreign investment, jobs, and tourism to Rio. They say it would also help the city’s finances by putting the large, unused Jockey Club building to work and possibly solving some of its debt problems.

The headquarters would give BRICS a stable place for meetings and help the group organize better. The 2025 summit in Rio brought leaders from 37 countries and over 4,000 participants.

As BRICS grows, its influence in world trade and economics increases. If Rio becomes the group’s home base, it would mark a shift in global power centers and give the city a bigger role in international business.

The proposal is still under review by Brazil’s government. The story shows how cities can use real estate and diplomacy to attract global groups and boost their economies.

📌 Read our complete guide: BRICS in 2026: Complete Guide to the 11-Nation Bloc Reshaping Global Trade