TCU Presents Brazil's Experience in Concession at International Forum in Spain
By Secom / Serint
The Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) took part in the 10th UNECE International PPP Forum, held from April 27 to 29 in Barcelona, Spain. Represented by auditor André Farias, the Court showcased Brazil's experience in managing concessions and public-private partnerships (PPPs) during times of crisis.
The event brought together representatives from governments, multilateral organizations, the private sector and academia to discuss sustainable and resilient solutions for infrastructure projects. This year's theme was Mobilizing Partnerships: Building Resilient PPPs and Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future.
During the forum, André Farias, director at the Audit Department for Road Infrastructure and Civil Aviation (AudRodoviaAviação), presented the case study of the BR 040/MG (Via Mineira) concession, the first rebidding process carried out in Brazil. The case was featured in the Showcasing Impactful Projects session on April 29, in a panel moderated by Professor Pedro Neves, founder and CEO of Global Solutions.
The study presented by the TCU was one of 29 cases selected for oral presentation by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), out of 169 case studies submitted by countries around the world. In total, 69 projects were chosen to be included in UNECE's international compendium.
The presentation focused on Brazil's experience in handling Distressed PPPs and highlighted the collaborative role of Supreme Audit Institutions in ensuring the security and legitimacy of privatization processes. The case illustrated how a failing contract was transformed into a new concession model, structured in line with international standards of governance and sustainability.
The TCU auditor also highlighted examples of tariff policies designed to promote greater equity in infrastructure projects, the opening of Brazil's regulatory framework to more sustainable practices in concessions and PPPs, and risk-sharing mechanisms aimed at ensuring fiscal sustainability and economic viability of contracts.
The presence of TCU representatives at the forum reinforces the Court's institutional standing as a reference in auditing concessions and PPPs. It also strengthens the Court's participation in multilateral infrastructure forums and underscores its commitment to practices aligned with generating value for citizens and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
