Today's Edition
HAMAD AL-KAABI (BRASÍLIA)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has emphasised the strong and growing partnership between Brazil and the UAE, based on mutual trust, describing both nations as global allies committed to advancing human wellbeing and welfare.
In an exclusive interview with Aletihad, conducted by Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi, CEO of Aletihad News Centre, the Brazilian president highlighted the progress in deepening the bilateral cooperation between the two nations, expressing his admiration for the UAE's path over the past 50 years and confidence in the promising future of their partnership.
During the interview, President Lula’s first with an Arab newspaper, the Brazilian leader said that Brazil and the UAE enjoy a high level of mutual trust driven by a shared vision for sustainable development and global stability, emphasising the opportunities to deepen ties.
Expanding on both nations’ commitment to boosting cross-sectoral cooperation, Lula identified renewable energy, artificial intelligence, technology, infrastructure development, and food security as key areas of interest.
He affirmed Brazil and the UAE’s joint commitment to a rules-based international order, stating that this partnership goes beyond traditional bilateral ties by tackling pressing global issues such as climate change and the transition to a more sustainable and innovative future.
Expanding Strategic Cooperation
The Brazilian president confirmed that Brazil is seeking to explore greater possibilities for bilateral cooperation with the UAE, particularly in boosting high-value economic sectors.
Lula recalled his visits to the UAE in 2023, first in April, when he met with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during an official visit, and again in December for the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. He also noted his historic first visit to the UAE in 2003, where he was received by the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The president stressed the growing partnership between the two nations, stating that Brazil is actively exploring avenues to deepen its engagement with the UAE and the wider Global South.
“In the past, it was not common for Latin American and Middle Eastern countries to engage directly, without the mediation of colonial powers, even though Brazil has a large population of Arabs and their descendants,” he added.
Energy cooperation emerged as a key theme, with Lula highlighting joint efforts in renewable energy and sustainable solutions.
"Both countries are oil producers and have a strong interest in renewable energy sources. Brazil, with its extensive experience in biofuels, is collaborating with the Emirati company 'Asilian' on a project to use macauba for producing green biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel," he explained.
He added: “We are also major markets for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which we are promoting in Brazil through a law called the ‘fuel of the future’."
The Brazilian President stressed the importance of growing cooperation between Brazil and the UAE in addressing climate change, particularly in ensuring a seamless transition from the COP28 conference in Dubai to COP30, which is set to take place in Belém, Brazil, in 2025.
The president expressed deep appreciation for the UAE’s efforts in rallying international support for climate policies and agreements, including those aimed at sustainability efforts, protecting vulnerable populations, and enhancing global climate resilience.
“Our close collaboration during the Dubai COP played a significant role in adopting the important consensus endorsed by 198 countries,” the president said.
President Lula highlighted the expanding scope of collaboration between Brazil and the UAE, noting the signing of memoranda of understanding in key areas such as educational cooperation and artificial intelligence, as well as plans for cooperation on issues related to the South Pole.
Addressing food security, the president emphasised the complementary strengths of Brazil and the UAE in this pressing area.
“Our countries complement each other. Brazil is one of the world’s largest food producers and major exporters to the UAE. The UAE, on the other hand, is an important logistics and investment hub, which can serve as a base for our companies to re-export products throughout the region. We also want Emirati companies to invest in direct production in Brazil,” he said.
The Brazilian president stressed that fostering collaboration between governments is only part of the equation, highlighting the need to deepen engagement at the business and societal levels.
“Many Brazilians are travelling, and there are growing business partnerships between the UAE and Brazil. We also want more Emiratis to visit our country and more companies to invest,” Lula added.
Shared Vision
During the interview, the president said both countries have shared goals to enhance high-value-added economic sectors.
“We are already doing this in the defence sector, where we see joint investments in product development. We also have major sectors in aviation and sufficient human and financial capital,” he explained.
The president highlighted Brazil's decades-long efforts to build a robust industrial base, which has enabled the country to manufacture advanced technologies, including the KC-390 aircraft, a state-of-the-art transport solution.
Meanwhile, he noted, the UAE is actively advancing its capabilities in artificial intelligence through substantial investments, positioning itself as a global leader in emerging technologies.
"These initiatives require a smoother exchange of knowledge between our research institutions and increased investment in integrated industrial development... We are also making progress in the modernisation and development of governments. We aim to select the best management practices from both our countries and facilitate technological exchange, particularly in the field of public service digitisation, which will make people's lives practically easier,” the president said.
He highlighted the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Brazil and the UAE in counterterrorism, adding that both nations are actively working to enhance collaboration between their security agencies.
Growing Economic Partnership
Trade between Brazil and the UAE has experienced remarkable growth over the past two decades. In 2003, the trade volume between the two countries stood at $570 million, whereas in 2023, it increased by 43%, surging to $4.3 billion.
The president emphasised that the next challenge lies in diversifying trade between Brazil and the UAE to include high-value-added products. He highlighted the importance of encouraging Brazilian companies to expand their investments in the UAE, taking advantage of its strategic role as a key logistics hub in the region.
"There are many Brazilian companies operating in the UAE, and I am confident that this number will increase in the coming years,” said Lula.
He also pointed to the growing presence of Emirati investments in Brazil, driven by notable contributions from the UAE’s sovereign wealth funds. These investments span a wide range of sectors within the Brazilian economy, including petrochemicals, renewable energy, transportation, and defence products.
The president added: "There are still many open opportunities, especially with the investments that Brazil is making in modernising infrastructure, such as ports, airports, railways, highways, and energy."
Partnership Based on Shared Values
The Brazilian president highlighted the deep bond between Brazil and the UAE, describing the UAE as a natural and genuine partner in multilateral forums, such as the BRICS group. He reiterated Brazil’s strong support for the UAE’s membership in BRICS and its active participation in the G20 summit.
Both nations, Lula said, are committed to a rules-based international order rooted in democratic principles, ensuring a stronger voice for the Global South. He highlighted the countries’ shared aspiration to create global governance structures that will be equipped to better address humanity’s pressing challenges, including peace-building, pandemic preparedness, and climate change.
“BRICS is a diverse and heterogeneous group, dedicated to democracy in global power relations and flows, without the need for mediation by former powers or fueling hostilities. It is an excellent platform to promote sustainable development and collaborate in overcoming the scourges of hunger and poverty,” he said.
The president also praised the alignment of Brazil and the UAE on key global issues, noting their close cooperation and similar worldviews as essential drivers of their strategic partnership.
During the interview, Lula expressed his admiration for the UAE’s remarkable developmental journey over the past five decades, praising the nation’s visionary leadership and strategic foresight in achieving such transformative progress.
“Brazil and the UAE are allies and constructive forces in the world, with a vision of generosity and enhancing human wellbeing, focusing on people. I hope that we can continue to strengthen and deepen this friendship and promote peace and development between our two countries and regions,” the Brazilian president said.
Al Kaabi presented the book "Zayed: The Man Who Built a Nation" to the Brazilian president, along with the book "Qasr Al Hosn," both published by the National Library and Archives.
Al Kaabi presented symbolic gifts from Abu Dhabi as symbols of the country's progress in agriculture and its strong commitment to food security. The Brazilian president expressed his pride in the UAE's successful experience in date farming, particularly highlighting the technological advancements in date palm cultivation. He expressed Brazil's interest in benefiting from this exceptional experience.
Aletihad presented a framed photograph from the newspaper's archives, showcasing a visit by Carlos Alberto Parreira, the former coach of the Brazilian national football team, to Aletihad newspaper in 2005.
Aletihad also had the chance to be introduced to Tia Zelia, Lula's favourite chef and a Brazilian culinary icon, who prepares only traditional Brazilian dishes inspired by the country's diverse nature. These dishes are made with seasonal and sustainable ingredients to ensure both sustainability and food security, and her simple, yet popular restaurant, is an attraction to all Brazilians, including politicians, businessmen, and the general public.
