WANA (Aug 25) – In a significant international development, BRICS member states, along with new partners including Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, and the UAE, have established the BRICS Mariners Forum in Salvador, Brazil. The initiative aims to strengthen maritime cooperation, expand port infrastructure, and redefine the role of global trade at sea.

 

Iran, as one of the founding members, is represented by Dr. Rezaei, Secretary of the Iranian Mariners Association, who has been introduced as a founding member of the forum. According to experts, this presence could pave the way for reducing transportation costs and developing alternative routes, including the Northern Sea Route.

 

At the forum’s first meeting, three key resolutions were adopted: support for national fleets, protection of seafarers’ rights under sanctions and crises, and improvement of working conditions on ships. In addition, special emphasis was placed on creating trade corridors and reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar as part of its strategic objectives.

 

The importance of this initiative becomes clearer when considering that more than 90% of global trade is carried out by sea. With BRICS countries accounting for about 40% of the world’s population and 25% of global GDP, they are in a position to play a decisive role in reshaping the future economic order—though differences in infrastructural development among members remain a major challenge. The forum officially began its work in Salvador on August 8, 2025.