Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil at Qasr Al Watan.
The two leaders engaged in official talks and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and ways to enhance them within the framework of their strategic partnership.
They expressed their commitment to pushing their cooperation to wider horizons that serve their mutual interests.
The talks covered several areas of cooperation, including economic, trade, and development aspects, as well as technology, environmental work, climate change, renewable energy, and food security.
The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and coordination to support peace and stability in the world, especially given their current membership in the UN Security Council.
They also discussed the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will be hosted by the UAE at the end of this year, and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the two countries in this regard.
President Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership that has existed between the UAE and Brazil for years, reflecting the advanced level of their bilateral relations and their common will to develop and push them forward.
He expressed his hope that the visit of Brazilian President, the first after assuming his presidential duties, would constitute a strong impetus to the growing relations between the two countries in various fields.
“The UAE attaches great importance to its relations with Brazil as part of its strategy aimed at strengthening its relations with Latin American countries, especially in the fields of development and promoting sustainable development,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
He underscored that the UAE would continue to work with Brazil to strengthen bilateral relations and look for exceptional opportunities that serve the interests of both countries. Sheikh Mohamed said that the two countries will celebrate next year the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, which began in 1974.
“The UAE is keen to strengthen its partnership with Brazil, especially in the fields of trade, technology, and investment, in addition to agriculture, renewable energy, food security, and other vital sectors of importance to achieve sustainable development,” the UAE President said.
Sheikh Mohamed stated that the UAE and Brazil share a great interest in climate change issues and agree in the need to build an international collective position to address it. This would enhance cooperation between the two countries in this field.
The UAE President referenced Brazil’s hosting of the ‘Earth Summit’ in 1992, which is considered a key milestone in the history of international collaboration to address climate change and promote sustainable development. He said in this context, that the UAE was looking forward to Brazil’s active participation at COP28.
The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and reiterated their shared interest in supporting peace and stability in the world, especially in light of both countries’ current membership of the UN Security Council.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed affirmed that the UAE attaches great importance to its relations with Brazil as it seeks to strengthen ties with South American countries, especially in the area of sustainable development.
He noted that next year the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, which began in 1974, and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in order to unlock further opportunities that will benefit both countries.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Mohamed for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation since arriving in the country.
The Brazilian President also expressed his happiness to be visiting the UAE for a second time, recalling his first visit 20 years ago and the welcoming reception he received from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
He added that the partnership between the two countries is strong and diversified across many areas, including important fields such as technology, science, innovation and infrastructure. President Lula reaffirmed his country’s eagerness to develop bilateral relations further to advance their sustainable development goals, with a focus on technology, renewable energy and food security.
The Brazilian President congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on the occasion of Ramadan and wished the UAE success in hosting COP28 later this year. He also signed the VIP visitors’ book, with a message wishing for further development and prosperity for the two countries.
MoUs
President Sheikh Mohamed and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva witnessed the exchange of a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in addition to a joint statement on the topic of climate change:
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Africa and the Middle East in Brazil, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Rio Branco Institute for cooperation in the field of diplomatic training.
- Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Andre Aranha Correa de Lago, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Climate, Environment and Energy Affairs, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of the UAE and Brazil regarding cooperation in the field of climate change, in addition to the exchange of a joint statement between the UAE and Brazil on Enhanced Multilateral Ambition and Action on Climate Change.
- Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and CEO of Mubadala, exchanged with Jeronimo Rodriguez, Governor of the State of Bahia, a Memorandum of Understanding between the state of Bahia and Refinaria De Mataripe SA Macauba Project.
The UAE President held an Iftar banquet in honour of the President of Brazil and the accompanying delegation.
The meeting and Iftar reception were attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC); Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Special Affairs Adviser at the Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Suhail bin Mohamed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Maryam bint Muhammad Al Muhairi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Sarah bint Youssef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology; Noura bint Mohamed Al Kaabi, Minister of State; Ahmed bin Ali Mohamed Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Member of the Executive Council; Saleh Ahmed Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Brazil; and a number of officials.
The delegation accompanying the Brazilian President that included a number of ministers and senior officials, also attended the meetings and Iftar.
