Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
The United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil have issued the following joint statement on the occasion of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 18 November 2024:
"1. His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil received His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, along with a senior ministerial delegation, on the 17th of November 2024.
2. On this year's momentous occasion of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil, both sides reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the bilateral relationship further in the years to come.
Together, both countries will continue to further deepen the strategic partnership through exploring new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in areas of considerable potential such as innovation, renewable energy and climate change, artificial intelligence, cutting-edge technologies, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, defense and security, and people-to-people connections. These aspirations are also coupled with a commitment to ensure that the ever-growing partnership remains dynamic, forward-looking, and resilient in the face of evolving global challenges, with a focus on long-term sustainability.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva commended the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil on Government Experience Exchange in Development and Modernization, on 19 October 2024, which aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, and help participating countries stay abreast with global trends and seize development opportunities.
During the visit, the following Agreements were signed:
i) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil on the establishment of a joint mechanism to promote investments from the United Arab Emirates in strategic sectors in Brazil; and
ii) Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Cooperation in Africa between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
3. Through dialogue, cooperation, and a spirit of partnership, the UAE and Brazil recognize the immense potential to foster a future of shared prosperity, peace, and progress. Both countries, are dedicated to strengthening our economic, political, and cultural ties, with a focus on building a more sustainable and innovative world. They stand united with a shared responsibility to address the global challenges of our time, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, desertification, and the advancement of social and economic equity. In addition, both sides discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.
4. Built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared ambition, the economic relationship between the UAE and Brazil has flourished over the past years, and both countries are committed to driving its continued growth and diversification. In this context, the UAE expressed appreciation for the issuance of Provisional Measure N° 1262 on 3 October 2024. In line with the new provision, both sides signed an MOU on the establishment of a joint mechanism to promote UAE investments into strategic sectors in Brazil. Both sides underlined that this new and significant development will open new avenues of bilateral investment cooperation. The UAE is looking forward to cooperating with its Brazilian partners in the coming months to agree on a comprehensive plan for new investments across various sectors, including technology, innovation, ecological transformation, and infrastructure development.
Furthermore, both Governments commended the achievements of Mubadala in Brazil, discussing opportunities to strengthen this track record through enhanced collaboration on future initiatives. The UAE Government underscored Mubadala’s commitment to increase its presence in the market, including plans to construct a large-scale biofuel refinery in Bahia, which will create up to 400,000 jobs for the local population. In addition, Mubadala aims to expand its substantial portfolio of investments in key infrastructure projects and dynamic companies that contribute to Brazil’s socioeconomic development.
Both sides underlined the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries. They noted that Brazil is considered to be the UAE’s largest trade partner in South America while the UAE is the second largest trade partner for Brazil in the MENA region. In 2023, non-oil bilateral trade between both countries exceeded USD 4 billion.
This will be amplified further with the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations between the UAE and MERCOSUR to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva praised the progress made in the third round of negotiations that concluded this month in Uruguay. They discussed the positive impact that such agreements have on trade and investment ties, and expressed optimism that the negotiations will conclude in the first half of 2025.
5. The UAE and Brazil reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and coexistence and reaffirmed their rejection of intolerance, hate speech, discrimination and all forms of extremism. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized that the UAE and Brazil will continue to strengthen bridges of cooperation, partnership, and dialogue, in order to achieve stability and prosperity for all. The foreign policies of both countries are grounded in a shared commitment to the principles of international law, with a particular emphasis on respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of all states. The two nations are steadfast in upholding these fundamental values, recognizing their essential role in preserving global peace and stability. In addition, the United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil are strong advocates for the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. They firmly believe that diplomacy should serve as the cornerstone of international relations, enabling us to resolve differences constructively and collaboratively. This mutual dedication not only fosters respect and understanding between both nations but also contributes to the creation of a more secure, stable, and cooperative global community. Together, the UAE and Brazil reaffirm their commitment to these principles, confident in the capacity to guide their nations and the world toward a more peaceful future.
6. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan commended His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for Brazil’s successful G20 Presidency for 2024, which culminated with the Leader’s Summit on 18-19 November 2024. As a guest country, the UAE has been supportive of Brazil’s G20 Priorities, including the launch of the landmark Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which the UAE strongly advocates for and commits USD 100 million to this cause. The UAE is proud to be a founding member of the Alliance and reaffirms its commitment to supporting and strengthening of this important initiative. The UAE will continue to enhance international cooperation programs aligned with the Alliance’s objectives, with a focus on poverty alleviation, food security, and equitable access to essential services. Both countries commended all efforts that led to the successful finalization of the Rio Declaration.
7. The UAE and Brazil recognized the importance of G20 as a platform for addressing global challenges and the vital importance of fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas, knowledge, and best practices to accelerate innovation and ensure long-term growth, affirming their shared commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and addressing climate change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Both countries commended COP28 as a pivotal milestone, marked by the historic UAE Consensus – an agreement endorsed by 198 Parties to advance climate action in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
As members of the COP Presidencies Troika, under “Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C”, both countries underline the importance of enhancing international cooperation and ambition in the next round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The UAE and Brazil were amongst the first to submit their new NDCs, which are aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, and urge other countries to follow their example.
The UAE commended the Brazilian G20 Presidency for their strong support to the outcomes of COP28 and in establishing the Task Force for the Global Mobilization against Climate Change (TF-CLIMA), which brought together the Sherpa & Finance tracks, for the first time, aimed at strengthening a G20 coordinated response to climate challenge.
Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation in environmentally sound technologies, including sustainable modalities of Artificial Intelligence. They recognized that achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires the rapid and scaled-up deployment and adoption of existing clean technologies and accelerated innovation, digital transformation and development, demonstration and dissemination of new and emerging technologies, as well as increased access to those technologies, supported by appropriate enabling frameworks and international cooperation.
The UAE and Brazil also reaffirmed their joint support for the COP29 Presidency, emphasizing a united, action-driven approach, with a particular focus on climate finance. Looking ahead, both countries commit to closely cooperate as Brazil assumes the COP30 Presidency in 2025, reinforcing their shared dedication to tackling climate change on the global stage including collaboration on accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems, and promoting sustainable development and green investments.
Both countries recognize that water lies at the core of climate action and affirmed their shared commitment towards a sustainable and resilient water future. The United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil underscored the importance of cooperating on the preparations for the upcoming UN 2026 Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, ensuring that COP30 is a key moment in the lead up to the Conference.
The UAE and Brazil also look forward to the continued collaboration on key initiatives that contribute to safeguarding nature and biodiversity and addressing global water challenges, including a number of key projects slated to be implemented under the umbrella of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, which comprises a host of programs that are aimed to positively impact the lives of people and the environment. One of them is a program aimed at helping the indigenous peoples and local communities of the Amazon through health care support, professional training for teachers, and providing support for institutions involved in heritage preservation efforts. Another ambitious program aims to combat plastic pollution in the Amazon River through environment-friendly treatments, resulting in the protection and improvement of bio-diversity and ecological equilibrium. A third program consists of planting around 10,000 UAE date palm trees in Brazil, to support the current efforts for enhancing local farming. Additionally, technical and secretariat assistance will be provided to the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), as the facility begins to take shape. Overall, these diverse programs are expected to reduce pollution in the environment, empower indigenous peoples and local communities, and significantly strengthen biodiversity and ecological balance. In addition to the above is the UAE’s allocation of USD 20 million for the Caatinga wildlife and biodiversity corridors and climate adaptation project.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to promote just and inclusive energy transitions that take into account national realities and contribute to decarbonization efforts, while ensuring energy security and energy access. They highlighted the importance of achieving the commitments to triple renewable energy globally and double the global rate of energy efficiency by 2030, as well as to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner, so as to achieve net-zero by 2050.
Recognising that the Brazilian renewable energy market is among the largest and fastest-growing globally, both sides underscored the importance of maintaining dialogue between Masdar and local as well as international players operating in Brazil. Masdar, wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, is a leading global player in renewable energy, with a presence in over 40 countries and a gross renewable capacity exceeding 30 GW.
Both sides also commended the successful conclusion of the BRICS Kazan Summit and reiterated their commitment to working together during Brazil’s upcoming Chairship of BRICS in 2025.
Given the two countries’ recent parallel terms (2022-23) as elected members on the United Nations Security Council, both sides agreed to continue cooperation on international peace and security having in mind their shared pledge to upholding the principles of the UN Charter at a time of growing polarization and fragmentation of the international landscape, and on their shared priorities of Women, Peace and Security, promoting tolerance and coexistence, conflict prevention and peaceful solutions, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, as well as addressing intolerance, hate speech, discrimination and all forms of extremism.
The UAE and Brazil expressed their support to a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent Members of the Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, legitimate and effective, and to increase the representation of developing countries.
Both countries reiterate the need for the full respect of international law, including international humanitarian law, in conflict situations and the provision of humanitarian aid in accordance with the basic principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence reflected in UNGA resolution 46/182.
Conscious that our time demands a strong recommitment to our common humanity and that 2024 marks the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, they expressed grave concern about the serious humanitarian consequences of several ongoing armed conflicts around the world and emphasized that compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law is essential to protecting civilians and preventing and mitigating unnecessary suffering.
They also expressed their grave concern about the unprecedented levels of violence and the egregious toll of civilian casualties, the majority of them children and women, due to ongoing breaches of international law, including international humanitarian law in the Gaza strip and in the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as in Lebanon.
The UAE and Brazil reiterate their calls for an immediate, unconditional, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for an end to the systematic violence against civilians and the release of all hostages. Both countries reaffirm their commitment to supporting a political horizon to bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in line with the two-State solution and the establishment of an independent and viable State of Palestine. Both countries also call for the rapid and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid at scale to the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In this regard, both countries strongly condemn the adoption by the Israeli parliament of laws that will, if implemented, have serious implications for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s (UNRWA) ability to carry out its activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Both countries also categorically reject all provocative statements and measures aimed at altering the legal status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and all practices in contravention of international law and relevant UN resolutions, which threaten further escalation and instability in the region, and impede efforts to achieve peace and stability. Both countries call for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation and activities and the prevention of further regional escalation, in line with obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the Fourth Geneva Convention, relevant UN resolutions and relevant binding provisional measures and orders by the International Court of Justice.
Both sides also call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and stress the importance of reinforcing the unity, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. They underscore the importance of electing a president in Lebanon, as well as supporting the nation state and its institutions including the army. They emphasize their solidarity with the people of Lebanon and call for concerted international efforts to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid and assistance to alleviate their suffering in this challenging time.
8. The UAE and Brazil, united by a shared vision of building resilient defense industries capable of addressing emerging global challenges, are pleased to announce the continued expansion of defense and security cooperation between the two nations, exemplified by the growing presence of the UAE’s EDGE Group in Brazil. This partnership marks a significant step forward in our shared commitment to strengthening defense capabilities, fostering technological innovation, and promoting regional and global security. EDGE, a global leader in advanced technology and defense solutions, has established a strong footprint in Brazil, contributing to the development of cutting-edge defense technologies and enhancing our bilateral cooperation in areas such as defense manufacturing, cybersecurity, and innovation.
Both countries reiterated their support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in a shared commitment to global security. The United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil are committed to working together to combat the threats posed by the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which reflects a strong partnership in protecting both nations and the international community from the devastating effects of these weapons.
The UAE and Brazil reiterated their commitment to cooperate in preventing and countering transnational organized crime, terrorism and financing of terrorism. They expressed particular concern with the challenge posed by environmental crimes and agreed to work together to strengthen international cooperation and improve the international legal framework on the matter. Both countries reiterated the need to work towards the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Guiding Principles, adopted by the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee in December 2023, to foster a collaborative and proactive approach to preventing the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for terrorist purposes.
9. For 8 years, and to encourage children to read, and to do so in Arabic, the MBRGI to date has reached 131 million readers cumulatively across the Arab world. As the UAE looks to become a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, it stands prepared to share this experience with Brazil to encourage the reading of Portuguese language literature across the Portuguese speaking nations.
Through collaboration in the field of education, we aim to honor the strength of our diplomatic relationship, showcase the cultural exchange that has flourished between us, share with one another positive experiences that could be applicable to advance our cultural and educational interests and reaffirm our dedication to advancing our cooperation in areas creating people-to-people connections, that both our countries seek.
10. The UAE and Brazil celebrate the people-to-people ties that underpin this relationship, recognizing that our diverse cultures and traditions offer valuable opportunities for mutual enrichment. In this spirit of unity and shared purpose, both countries commit to building on the collective efforts to contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for their countries and for the world.
11. Over the past 50 years, the United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil established a robust and dynamic partnership marked by significant economic ties and strategic cooperation on global issues. United by a shared vision of growth, sustainability, and mutual respect, we reaffirm the commitment to advancing the deep and enduring friendship between our nations, for the next 50 years and beyond.
12. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by Brazil's President, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in receiving the UAE delegation."
