President Lula's speech during the extraordinary session of the Arab League, in Cairo (Egypt)

It is a pleasure to be back at the League of Arab States seat after 20 years.

I want to thank the Secretary-General and everyone present for the valuable opportunity to speak on behalf of Brazil.

We are very proud of the historical and cultural ties that bind us to the Arab world. 

We acknowledge and appreciate your invaluable contribution to our country and the progress of humanity.

Brazil was the first Latin American country to receive observer status in this organization.

I had the honor of being the first Brazilian Head of State to occupy this podium in 2003.

The Arab League's commitment to promoting stability and development makes this organization a voice to be closely listened to on major issues of our time.

We are reclaiming the universalist vocation of our foreign policy. We aim to revive and deepen our partnerships with the Global South, with whom we share numerous perspectives, values, challenges, and expectations.

My visits today to Egypt and the Arab League add to those I made to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

They reflect our desire to resume dialogue and collaboration. We maintain resident diplomatic representations in 18 of the 22 countries that make up the Arab League.

We aim to build on the legacy of the Summits between South America and Arab Countries.

There is immense potential in sectors such as trade, investments, environment, science and technology, culture, and development cooperation.

The strength of the relationship between Brazil and the countries of the League is evident in our commercial dynamism.

The increase in trade, which in 2003 was of US$5.4 billion and has grown to US$30 billion in 2023, brings us satisfaction and optimism.

In the current Brazilian Presidency of the G20, we are prioritizing social inclusion and combating hunger and poverty; promoting sustainable development and energy transition; and reforming global governance institutions.

In 2025, we will host COP-30 on climate change in Brazil.

I look forward to the active participation of the Arab League countries in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon, for this crucial discussion for the future of the planet.

Next year, we will also host the BRICS Summit, which now includes the participation of three members from the League: Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

With the strengthening of the New Development Bank (NDB) through the inclusion of new members, we will continue working to ensure that BRICS remains a positive force in a multipolar world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I return to Cairo in the context of the terrible humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

In my last visit, the Arab League had presented the Arab Peace Initiative, which represented a balanced and realistic option for resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Unfortunately, like other initiatives before it, the League's efforts were in vain.

The Hamas attack on October 7 against Israeli civilians is indefensible and has received strong condemnation from Brazil.

The disproportionate and indiscriminate reaction from Israel is unacceptable and constitutes one of the most tragic episodes in this long conflict.

The human and material losses are irreparable.

We cannot trivialize the deaths of thousands of civilians as mere collateral damage. In Gaza, there are almost 30,000 fatal victims, mostly children, the elderly, and women. 80% of the population was forced to leave their homes.

Before our eyes, the population of Gaza is suffering from hunger, thirst, diseases, and other deprivations, as warned by the World Health Organization. The situation in the West Bank, already critical, is also becoming unsustainable.

At a time when the Palestinian people need support the most, wealthy countries decide to cut humanitarian aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Recent allegations against agency officials need proper investigation but should not paralyze it.

Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon will also be left without support.

It is essential to put an end to this inhumanity and cowardice.

Enough of collective punishment.

My government will make a new financial contribution to UNRWA. We urge all countries to maintain and strengthen their contributions.

The most urgent task is to establish a permanent ceasefire that allows for sustainable and unimpeded humanitarian aid and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

The persistence of the conflict in Palestine extends far beyond the Middle East. Its effects can lead to unpredictable and catastrophic scenarios.

We proposed and defended resolutions in the Security Council during our presidency in October.

We support the process initiated in the International Court of Justice by South Africa regarding the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Ground operations in the already overcrowded Rafah region foreshadow new calamities and contradict the spirit of the Court's provisional measures. 

It is urgent to halt the killing.

Brazil's position is clear.

There will be no peace until there is a Palestinian state, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The decision on the existence of an independent Palestinian state was made 75 years ago by the United Nations.

There are no more excuses to prevent Palestine's entry into the UN as a full member. The resumption of peace negotiations is a universal cause.

And it is our cause. 

Therefore, I want to renew my wishes for peace and prosperity to all of you.

I would like to conclude by stating that Brazil will continue, in the coming years, to advocate for the recognition of the Palestinian State as a sovereign state, not only by the UN but also on the ground, so that Palestinians can build their lives in peace and with the respect of the rest of the world.

I want to express my gratitude to the Arab League and emphasize the importance you have in drawing humanity's attention to this matter. Mr. Secretary, we need to engage in a crucial debate to reconsider the United Nations and reshape global governance. It is not acceptable for the UN to be governed solely by countries that emerged as victors or losers in World War II.

It is important to remember that the world has changed; geopolitics have evolved. Countries have become more significant. There is no explanation for the fact that the African continent is not represented at the United Nations [Security Council], when it could have two, three representatives. It makes no sense for South America and Latin America to lack representation. It is senseless for a country like India or Germany to be excluded.

In other words, we need to reconsider increasing the number of countries on the Security Council. We must contemplate eliminating the veto power. And it is crucial to recognize that if the UN does not take the existence of its Permanent Security Council seriously, the world will not have peace. Because it is the members of the Permanent Council, the countries that produce and sell weapons, that have been driving recent wars.

This is what happened in Iraq, this is what happened in Libya, you know. Russia did not seek anyone's approval to invade Ukraine. In essence, the UN is severely weakened when it comes to making decisions for Israel to comply with resolutions made over the years.

Therefore, I am here to express my unwavering commitment to continue fighting for peace. Peace is the only possibility we have to build development and improve the lives of the people. Secondly, I want to convey my solidarity to the Palestinian people because, for many years, I have advocated for the necessity of the Palestinian people to have their free and sovereign territory.

And I am here to reaffirm to the Arab countries that, just as we are against Hamas, we are against Israel's behavior, and we are against war. Brazil is a country that has no disputes with any nation worldwide, and we believe that only with the end of war can we build the world of peace we have been dreaming of. Thank you all, and may peace be with us.