Brasilia Consensus - 30th May 2023

Brasilia Consensus

 At the invitation of the President of Brazil, the leaders of the South American countries met in Brasilia, on May 30, 2023, to exchange views and perspectives on cooperation and the integration of South America.

2. The Presidents reaffirmed the common vision of South America as a region of peace and cooperation, based on dialogue and on the respect for the diversity of our peoples, committed to democracy and human rights, sustainable development and social justice, the rule of law and institutional stability, the upholding of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

3. Concurred that the world is facing multiples challenges, in a context of climate crisis, threats to peace and international security, pressure on food and energy chains, the risk of new pandemics, increase in social inequalities and threats to institutional and democratic stability.

4. Agreed that regional integration should be part of the solution to the common challenges of building a peaceful world; strengthening democracy; promoting social and economic development; fighting poverty, hunger, and all forms of inequality and discrimination; promoting gender equality; managing migration in a safe, orderly and regular manner; tackling climate change, including through innovative financing mechanisms for climate action, among which could be considered debt-for-climate swaps by developed countries; fostering ecological and energy transition through clean energy; strengthening health capacities; and the fight against transnational organized crime.

5. Committed to work towards increasing trade and investment among the countries of the region; improving infrastructure and logistics; strengthening regional value chains; effectively implementing trade facilitation and financial integration measures; reducing asymmetries; eliminating unilateral measures; and increasing market access through the network of economic complementation agreements, including under LAIA, with the aim of reaching an effective South American Free Trade Area.

6. Recognized the importance of maintaining regular dialogue, with a view to furthering the integration process in South America and projecting the region's voice in the world.

7. Decided to establish a contact group, headed by the Foreign Ministers, to evaluate the experiences of South American integration mechanisms and to draft a roadmap for the integration of South America, to be submitted to the consideration of the Heads of State.

8. Agreed to promptly promote South American cooperation initiatives open to the participation of all interested parties, with a social and gender approach, in areas that concern the immediate needs of citizens, in particular the most vulnerable, including indigenous peoples, such as health, food security, food systems based on traditional agriculture, the environment, water resources, natural disasters, infrastructure and logistics, energy interconnection and clean energy, digital transformation, defense, border integration and security, and cybersecurity.

9. Agreed to meet again, on a date and place to be determined, in order to review the progress of the South American cooperation initiatives and determine the next steps.