Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ASEAN Committee Hold Seminar and Book Launch on Brazil-ASEAN Relations
Heads of Missions of the ASEAN Committee in Brasilia (from L to R: Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia) Source: Embassy of Thailand
BRASILIA 11 April 2024 – Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the presence of the ASEAN Committee in Brasilia held a seminar entitled “Brazil and ASEAN: Perspectives for an Emerging Relationship” at the Palácio do Itamaraty in Brasilia on 03 April 2024.
The seminar presented reflections on the relevance and potential relations between Brazil and the ASEAN member countries. Two thematic panels led the discussions: 1) joint prosperity through trade and investment; and 2) solutions for the energy transition: the role of bioenergy.
In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira emphasized the importance of Brazil’s partnership with ASEAN. He noted that ASEAN is Brazil’s 3rd largest trade partner and emphasized the importance of the Organization in maintaining and advancing peace and prosperity not only in the Southeast Asian region but among the international family of nations as well.
Brazil’s formal relationship with ASEAN goes back to 2011, when Brazil signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). In August 2022, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers conferred the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner to Brazil at the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and in December of the same year, ASEAN and Brazil convened the inaugural ASEAN-Brazil Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (AB-JSCC Meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
Aside from trade and investment, future cooperation between ASEAN and Brazil will include food security, forestry and agriculture, renewable energy, e-governance and digital connectivity, climate change, smart cities, sustainable tourism and infrastructure, aviation industry, people-to-people contacts, and a Portuguese language course for ASEAN diplomats. Both sides are also developing the ASEAN-Brazil Practical Cooperation Areas to serve as a guiding framework in achieving shared goals and priorities in the years to come.
The book “Brazil and ASEAN: Partners for Peace and Development” was also launched during the occasion. The e-book is available at the Fundação Alexandre de Gusmão (FUNAG) Biblioteca Digital (https://funag.gov.br/biblioteca-nova/produto/1-1267). END
Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN Committee in Brasilia seminar and book launch on Brazil-ASEAN relations at the Palácio do Itamaraty in Brasilia (Source: Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
For more information, visit https://www.brasiliape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassybrasilia.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrazil/.