Philippines and Brazil Hold 6th Bilateral Consultation Meeting
Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Maria Theresa P. Lazaro and Secretary for Asia and the Pacific Eduardo Paes Saboia shake hands before the BCM. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
MANILA 27 June 2023 – The Philippines and Brazil reaffirmed their strong partnership and enduring friendship during the 6th Bilateral Consultation Meeting (BCM) held in Manila on 27 June 2023.
DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, together with her Brazilian counterpart, Secretary for Asia Pacific at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eduardo Paes Saboia, co-chaired the meeting. The BCM is an important platform for discussing issues of common concern, finding ways to enhance existing cooperation, and charting the course for future engagements, underpinned by the two countries’ shared values of democracy and respect for human rights.
Members of the Philippine delegation included representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, and Defense. The two sides held comprehensive discussions on an agenda that included bilateral trade relations, regional and global developments, exchanges in the maritime sphere, as well as technical cooperation in agriculture and defense. In recent years, Brazil has become a valuable partner in the Philippine Armed Forces’ modernization efforts, notably through the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding in Defense Cooperation (2022) and by supplying the Philippines with defense materiel.
The two sides also discussed political and security developments in the South China Sea and in the Philippines and Brazil’s respective regions, underscoring the importance of multilateralism in maintaining global stability and working towards prosperity.
Undersecretaries Lazaro and Saboia underscored the importance of elevating bilateral relations by embracing a more diverse cooperation agenda and the holding of high-level visits, including at the level of Foreign Ministers.
A highlight of the BCM was the Exchange of Notes attesting to the mutual desire of both parties to fully implement the MOU on Mutual Cooperation on Training of Diplomats between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Philippines and Brazil’s Rio Branco Institute, which is globally recognized as one of the most prestigious centers for diplomatic training.
Following the BCM, Secretary Saboia delivered a lecture under the prestigious Mabini Dialogue format of the DFA - Foreign Service Institute (FSI), entitled, “Brazil and the Philippines - Joining Efforts for Peace and Prosperity”. Professor Jeremy Gatdula, Dean of the School of Law of the University of Asia and the Pacific, served as reactor for the lecture.
Secretary Saboia capped his brief stay in the Philippines with a call on the Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs Antonio Morales, noting that “it is comforting” to count on the Philippines as partner.
The next BCM is expected to be held in Brasilia in 2025. END
The two Heads of Delegation pose for a photo before the start of the BCM. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
PH Ambassador to Brazil Joseph Gerard Angeles and Brazilian Ambassador to PH Antonio José Maria De Souza e Silva (both seated) initial the Exchange of Notes on the Memorandum of Understanding on the Mutual Training of Diplomats, as Undersecretary Lazaro and Secretary Saboia look on. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
Undersecretary Lazaro and Secretary Saboia exchange gifts after the luncheon. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)