Minister Fávaro presented proposals for technical and agricultural cooperation to the ambassadors of the League of Arab States

During a meeting held at the Embassy of Palestine in Brasília, Minister Carlos Fávaro engaged with ambassadors from the League of Arab States to discuss collaboration in technical and agricultural sectors. The representatives came from 16 member nations of the league, including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, , Iraq, Mauritania, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Syria, and Palestine. 

Minister Fávaro highlighted President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's commitment to strengthening ties with Arab nations and Brazil's increasing involvement with the Global South. Notably, this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) conducted official missions to three Arab League countries: the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Morocco. 

As the event's host, the Palestinian Ambassador to Brazil emphasized the significance of this inaugural meeting for the participating countries. 

Established in 1945 to foster cultural, economic, social, and political relations among its members, the League of Arab States comprises 22 member states and stands as a crucial partner for Brazil in diplomatic and economic contexts. In 2023, member countries of the league imported approximately $13.5 billion worth of Brazilian agricultural products. 

"Brazil holds the distinction of being the world's largest producer and exporter of halal protein. We take great pride in this achievement and are committed to further strengthening this relationship as Brazil possesses immense potential for sustainable expansion of its production," emphasized Fávaro. 

"In an era marked by evident climate change and a global shift towards sustainability, Brazil has a responsibility to uphold public policies for the preservation of the Amazon," Minister Fávaro stressed. "While the Amazon represents a significant Brazilian asset, its preservation is also of global importance in terms of carbon sequestration. Nonetheless, preserving the Amazon does not preclude Brazil from expanding its food production," he added. 

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 

Given Brazil's successful track record in food production, particularly in fruit cultivation within arid climates, Minister Fávaro offered the League of Arab States the opportunity for technology transfer agreements through the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). 

Discussions during the meeting centered on partnerships between the public company and the Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization of the League of Arab States (ALECSO), as well as the establishment of Embrapa research centers in these countries. 

The Chargé d'Affaires of Iraq, Firas Al-Hamadany, reported that his country is already working on a proposal for a technological transfer agreement in the agricultural sector, alongside efforts to expand trade relations. 

The Ambassador of Qatar, Ahmad Al-Shebanin, also announced that a delegation from Hassan Food, the agricultural and food investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), would visit Brazil with the aim of fostering cooperation and investments in the country. 

A partnership aimed at food production and cooperation in the biofuels sector between Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil was also highlighted by the Chargé d'Affaires of Sudan, Ahmed Swar. 

Oman, a major fertilizer supplier to Brazil, will also dispatch a delegation of investors to explore potential investments in the country. According to the Ambassador of Oman, Talal Alrahbi, a joint project in this area is under consideration. 

MEETING PARTICIPANTS  

In addition to the host, the Palestinian Ambassador to Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben, the meeting was attended by ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Syria, and Tunisia, as well as Chargés d'Affaires from Iraq, Algeria, and Sudan. The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture delegation included the Secretary of Agricultural Defense, Carlos Goulart; the Deputy Executive Secretary, Cleber Soares; the Deputy Secretary of Trade and International Relations, Júlio Ramos; the Minister's Special Advisor, Carlos Ernesto Augustin; and the Director of Promotion and Commercial and Investment, Marcel Moreira.  

During the meeting, the ambassadors conveyed solidarity on behalf of their countries with the families in Rio Grande do Sul affected by the adverse effects of heavy rainfall in the state, offering support and partnerships to mitigate the impacts.

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