Philippines-Brazil Partnership Highlighted at FSI Ambassadors’ Lecture Series

FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III presents a certificate of appreciation to Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura after his lecture.

MANILA 06 March 2025 — The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) held its first Ambassadors’ Lecture Series (ALS) for 2025 on 28 February at the temporary headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay. This year’s first installment featured H.E. Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Philippines.

Entitled “Brazil and the Philippines: A Legacy of Friendship, A Future of Partnership,” the lecture highlighted the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Brazil and the Philippines. 

The lecture commenced with Ambassador de Moura introducing Brazil, touching on its  geography, population, vibrant cities, and economy. Ambassador de Moura highlighted Brazil’s economy being a powerhouse in South America through its agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and services sectors. He also shared Brazil’s strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation.

As the lecture’s central theme, Ambassador de Moura underscored the historical and contemporary dimensions of the relationship between the two countries, charting its development over the past 80 years. He contextualized the Brazil-Philippines bilateral relationship, focusing on shared colonial past and identities, diplomatic exchanges, and economic cooperation.

“We have a long, long history – we share historical, cultural elements that bring us together,” Ambassador de Moura noted as he opened the topic on Brazil-Philippines relations. 

Further, the Brazilian Ambassador shared his insights on the potential collaboration of the two countries’ academic institutions and technological companies in conserving and protecting biodiversity.

The lecture likewise touched Brazil’s efforts on the global stage through  international summits and fora, including its hosting of the G20 Summit in 2024 and its presidency of BRICS.

The FSI launched the ALS as a platform for heads of diplomatic missions in the Philippines to share their knowledge, priorities, and advocacy. END

Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura delivers his lecture at FSI’s Ambassadors’ Lecture Series.

Ambassador de Moura and FSI Director General Fernandez are joined by senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and other heads of missions from the diplomatic corps.