The 1st Global South Online Summit “Nuclear Horizon”, organized by the Centro de Estudos Interdisciplinares Soyuz (CEI-Soyuz), was an unprecedented success, marking a historic step forward for nuclear dialogue among emerging nations. Over three days of vibrant and insightful discussions, participants from across Latin America, Africa, and Asia gathered virtually to reaffirm the role of nuclear energy in the sovereign development of the Global South. This initiative, a first of its kind, placed CEI-Soyuz at the heart of a new era of international scientific cooperation, gathering participants from 21 different countries, with over 500 persons registered and more than 200 attendees per session.
This incredible encontounr featured an extensive lineup of speakers, including leading nuclear scientists, policymakers, engineers, industry professionals, and interdisciplinary experts, who addressed the most pressing issues and opportunities in the nuclear sector. Topics spanned a broad spectrum, including nuclear energy development, safety regulations, emerging technologies, medical applications of nuclear science, and international cooperation in different technologival field.
Led by Matheus Pereira Jorge (Russian Nuclear Education Ambassador by Rosatom), with the moderation of Leonardo Nascimento (CPN-WYF), the summit’s structure allowed for dynamic exchanges that balanced academic rigor and political relevance. The coordination of reporting by Victor Abi-Rihan Ávila and Robles Montanari (CPN-WYF), combined with the marketing direction by Sabrina Maciel (CPN-WYF), ensured both the substance and outreach of the summit were impactful. Julio Oliveira Júnior, representing CEI-Soyuz officially through the Department of Nuclear Engineering “Igor Kurchatov,” brought a robust scientific voice that showed the values of technical precision and public education.
The summit emphasized the urgent need for deeper cooperation among BRICS countries in the field of nuclear technology and education. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa showcased their respective nuclear agendas, demonstrating how mutual support and knowledge sharing are fundamental for ensuring energy security and technological independence in the 21st century. The discussions highlighted the central role that the BRICS bloc can play in reshaping global energy narratives, empowering the Global South with sovereign technological capacities.
A highlight of the summit was the notable participation of Brazilian Federal Deputy Julio Lopes, President of the Parliamentary Front for the Development of the Nuclear Industry (FPN). Deputy Lopes delivered an inspiring message on Brazil’s commitment to advancing nuclear infrastructure, particularly in the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), uranium mining, international cooperation and emphasized the necessity of regulatory stability for long-term nuclear investments. His presence brought significant political weight to the discussions, signaling growing governmental support for nuclear advancement in Brazil. More information about his work can be found here: Frente Parlamentar Nuclear.
Another remarkable moment of the summit was the presentation by energy engineer Arthur Reis (Brazil), who detailed the ambitious Brazilian project for the development of a national micro nuclear reactor, spearheaded by the UFABC, USP, CNEN and Institute for Energy and Nuclear Research (IPEN). Arthur Reis emphasized Brazil’s pioneering efforts in nuclear technology innovation, demonstrating how the country is consolidating itself as a leader in advanced, flexible, and sustainable nuclear solutions. His lecture underscored the importance of investing in microreactor technology not only for decentralized energy generation but also for strengthening national sovereignty, enhancing energy security, and promoting technological autonomy.
During the second day, the summit shed light on Latin America’s strategic potential in nuclear development. the Russian Nuclear Education Ambassadors Julio Oliveira and Patricia Pérez (Cuba) delivered powerful presentations on the trajectories of nuclear technology in their respective countries. Meanwhile, the representative of CICRAL Argentina, Nicolás Malinovsky, offered insights into Argentina’s historic achievements in the nuclear sector, paving the way for new cooperative initiatives across Latin America. This panel underscored the vision of a unified “Patria Grande” embracing nuclear sovereignty as a collective project for Latin America.
Several standout presentations captured the multidimensional value of nuclear energy for emerging countries. The egyptian automation enginneer Sohyla Aboudeif’s detailed exposition on Egypt’s El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project, as well as Pedro Pugliese’s (IMBRICS) deep analysis of energy diplomacy within the BRICS framework, offered critical perspectives on how nuclear initiatives can drive both national development and regional solidarity. Their contributions demonstrated nuclear energy as a tool for not only energy independence but also social and technological transformation.
The third day embraced an interdisciplinary spirit. Carlos Gomes, Pedro Mirsky and Naomi Nitahara led a vibrant roundtable on the fundamental question “Why Nuclear?” connecting environmental, economic, and educational perspectives. Meanwhile, Fernando Zambrana presented a comparative analysis between hydroelectric and nuclear energy, offering a nuanced view on strategic infrastructure development. These discussions emphasized the need for informed, pragmatic approaches to energy transitions in the Global South.
The 1st Global South Online Summit “Nuclear Horizon” was not just a milestone in academic and diplomatic efforts—it was a bold statement for the future. By emphasizing nuclear energy as a pillar for a just energy transition, promoting sovereignty over strategic resources, and reinforcing the Global South’s fight against climate change, the summit outlined a roadmap for sustainable and autonomous development. Through clean, safe, and resilient nuclear technologies, the countries of the Global South can now envision an energy matrix that is environmentally responsible, technologically sovereign, and socially inclusive. All organizations proudly reaffirmed its commitment to this cause, opening a new chapter in the collective struggle for a fairer and truly multipolar world.