Artigos e palestras / Articles and speeches
1. Ambassador Enio Cordeiro’s intervention in the Follow-up Conference on the Political Declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA), Oslo, 22 April 2024
2. Remarks by Ambassador Enio Cordeiro at the National Day, Oslo, 7 September 2023
3. Statement by Ambassador Enio Cordeiro at Brazil@Nor-Shipping 2023, Oslo, 7 June 2023
4. Statement by Ambassador Enio Cordeiro, Head of the Brazilian Delegation, to the International Conference ‘Protecting Children in Armed Conflict’, Oslo, 5-6 June 2023
Intervenção do Embaixador Enio Cordeiro na Conferência de seguimento da implementação da Declaração Política relativa à proteção de civis em contexto de emprego de armas explosivas em áreas densamente povoadas (EWIPA)
Ambassador Enio Cordeiro’s intervention in the Follow-up Conference on the Political Declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA)
Oslo, 22/04/2024
"This follow-up conference could not be timelier, as the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas continues to cause an immense toll of civilian death and suffering in all parts of the world. In most cases, this happens in a blatant violation of the international humanitarian law.
The current plight of the civilian population in Gaza is yet another compelling testament to the fact that civilians always bear the brunt of the international communitys failure, in the first place, to prevent and stop armed conflicts.
The appalling toll of civilian deaths in Gaza includes an intolerable number of children. People are deprived of their most basic needs; forced displacement has already affected nearly 80 percent of the population; civil infrastructure, schools and medical facilities have been totally destroyed.
A lasting peace for all in the Middle East can only be achieved when the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people are met, the two-State solution is implemented with the boundaries recognized by the United Nations, and foreign occupation ends.
We share a collective responsibility to respect and ensure respect for the IHL, which is binding to all, at all times and under all circumstances. With this aim in mind, we need to find practical solutions, share experiences and strive to promote real progress on the protection of civilians from the scourges of war.
For its part, Brazil has been active in promoting compliance with the IHL, and this was one of the priorities in our recent mandate at the Security Council of the United Nations.
Brazil has mainstreamed the IHL provisions into our domestic legislation and military practice through seminars, training programs, educational campaigns and capacity building initiatives.
The Brazilian Armed Forces are, at all levels, professionally trained in the application of those rules, especially designed for officials participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Lastly, I wanted also to share with you that we have reestablished in Brazil the National Commission for the Dissemination and Implementation of the IHL. This will help us move forward in developing national policies, strategies, and action plans. Thank you."
Remarks by Ambassador Enio Cordeiro at the National Day
Oslo, September 7th 2023
Brazilians are proud to be a multi-ethnic people, living in a thriving democratic society, served by solid and resilient institutions.
As we elected a new government last year, Brazilians reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to democracy, rule of law and human dignity. Shortly after the inauguration of the new government, however, a vandal attack to the premises of our main democratic institutions was a sad reminder of the crucial importance of staying vigilant and the need to reunite the country under those values.
Brazilians also reaffirmed their determination to return to the forefront of the debate on global issues with a renewed commitment to multilateralism, human rights, and the constant need to search for peace, in a global disorder so much affected by strategic confrontation, zones of influence, colliding security concerns, escalation of conflicts, and the use of force in the international relations.
Brazil is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and towards the end of this year will assume the chairmanship of the G20. Brazil stands ready to take part in efforts looking for peace and holds the view that it is urgent to reform the Security Council both in its composition and methods of work.
Brazil and Norway continue to hold very productive relations and we can all expect a fruitful period of even deeper bonds ahead.
I could not fail to mention that - after four years of discrepancies and miscommunication - our strong bilateral cooperation for the protection of the environment has finally resumed.
The Amazon Fund is fully operational again, and new avenues of cooperation were opened to promote inclusive and sustainable development in the Amazon region.
Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to further reduce deforestation, cut illegal deforestation to zero by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050. Brazil has also offered to host the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, in 2025, in Belém do Pará, which is one of the main cities in the Amazon region.
On the big picture, I should mention that 60% of the Brazilian territory is covered by native vegetation. The rainforest in the Amazon covers an impressive extension of 3.5 million km2, which corresponds to 70% of the territory of Europe. This is the size of the magnificent forest which is standing there, in Brazil.
The energy matrix in Brazil is essentially clean. 50% of the energy used in Brazil is renewable and 83% of the electricity comes from renewable sources. The massive introduction of biofuels in the transportation sector is a major example of the clean energy transition already accomplished in Brazil.
The bilateral trade between Brazil and Norway is on the rise.
The aluminium industry in Norway relies almost entirely on the supply from the mining activities led by a Norwegian company established in Brazil.
Norwegian companies are the largest providers of equipment and services to the Brazilian oil and gas industry. They are the owners of more than 50% of the vessels and platforms employed in these activities in the Brazilian coast. And Equinor is the second major operator in offshore exploration in Brazil.
Norway is also a major partner in Brazil’s huge agricultural production, which depends heavily on the supply of fertilizers produced by another Norwegian company. Yara’s investments in Brazil represent 1/3 of its global production and 1/4 of its total revenue.
For its part, non-genetically modified soybeans from Brazil feed both the fish farmed and the cattle raised in Norway. And no less important for food security, Brazilians eat bacalhau from Alesund, and Norwegians drink their best coffee from Brazil.
Trade liberalization in goods and services is yet another important factor. We aim at concluding a balanced agreement between Mercosul and EFTA and the two sides are working together to bridge the gaps in those negotiations.
I will finally say that Brazilian cultural expressions have their roots in a rich and multi-ethnic background, which can be traced to the traditions of the Brazilian indigenous groups, African peoples, Portuguese and so many immigrant communities that forged our Nation.
The music we are going to listen today, played by the group “Choro Livre”, is a powerful sample of this unique fusion. “Chorinho” (or simply “choro”) is truly a national symbol in Brazil, as strong as samba, bossa-nova and even the carnival. Chorinho is the result of interactions between Portuguese and Afro-Brazilian old genres of music, such as “modinha” and “lundu”, and the European ballroom dances that conquered Brazil in the XIX century, such as “polka”, “mazurka” and the “waltz”. The offspring of this unlikely union, as you will appreciate, is undoubtedly a very Brazilian blend.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship given by the Brazilian Cultural Institute Guimarães Rosa and the Social Service of the Brazilian Industry, please welcome the group “Choro Livre” to the stage and enjoy the music.
Thank you.
Statement by Ambassador Enio Cordeiro
Brazil@Nor-Shipping 2023
Let me thank the Brazilian Association of Norwegian Ship Owners and all the sponsors for putting this event together again.
It is a great pleasure to join Minister Skjaeran in these opening remarks.
I am glad to report to you that Brazil and Norway continue to hold very productive relations and we can all expect a period of even deeper bonds ahead. On the Brazilian side, this wish has been expressed by President Lula at the very beginning of his new term.
Our bilateral trade is on the rise: it reached US$ 2.3 billion in 2022, almost a 30% increase, and it reveals quite interesting features.
Brazilian exports to Norway are largely made by Norwegian companies established in Brazil.
The aluminum industry in Norway, for instance, relies almost entirely on the supply from mining activities led by Norsk Hydro in Brazil.
Similarly, you will be perhaps surprised to know that the second most important item exported last year from Brazil to Norway was OIL. Brazil exported US$ 150 million in crude oil to Norway last year. This is one of the multiple spin offs of this vigorous participation of Norwegian companies in the oil and gas sector in Brazil.
As you know, Equinor is the second major operator in offshore exploration in Brazil. Norwegian companies own most of the vessels employed in these activities in the Brazilian coast. Aker Solutions is a major supplier of high precision equipment for this industry. Other Norwegian companies are also predominant in the supply chain of services and technology.
The partnerships established are continuously expanding. Equinor and Petrobras, together with two other major companies, recently announced the decision to develop a new field in the Campos Basin, with an investment of US$ 9 billion.
Our partnership also extends to renewable energy and biofuels. We see energy transition as one of the main fields for our scientific and technological cooperation in the years ahead.
Norway is also a major partner in Brazil’s agricultural production. Fertilizers and investments from Norway are pivotal for the sustainable agriculture and biofuel production in Brazil. Yara’s investments in Brazil represent 1/3 of its global production and ¼ of the company’s revenue.
As a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the unilateral trade restrictions applied in Europe, Brazilian imports of fertilizers from Norway grew almost 300% in value last year, reaching US$ 420 million.
For its part, non-genetically modified soybeans from Brazil feed both the fish farmed and the cattle raised in Norway.
Our partnership in food security certainly goes much beyond that, as Brazilians are the main consumers of the codfish produced in Norway and Norwegians are heavy drinkers of Brazilian coffee.
Last year we celebrated the 180th anniversary of the trade and business relations between Brazil and Norway.
We value so much that Norwegian companies have proven a long term commitment to development and growth in Brazil, as they found there an attractive market for their business together with a very receptive regulatory environment.
Dear friends, I could not fail to report that - after four years of discrepancies and miscommunication - our strong bilateral cooperation for the protection of the environment has finally resumed.
Among the first decisions taken by the new Administration in Brazil, President Lula reinstated the governance machinery of the Amazon Fund thus enabling it to be fully operational again.
Brazil reaffirmed its targets to further reduce deforestation, cut illegal deforestation to zero by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Brazil also offered to host the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Climate Change, in 2025, in Belém do Pará, which is one of the main cities in the Amazon region.
Last March, Minister Espen Barth Eide met in Brasília with Minister Marina Silva. They reaffirmed our climate and forest partnership and highlighted the importance of promoting inclusive development in the Amazon region.
Additionally, I want to mention that the Norwegian authorities have just conveyed an invitation for Brazil to explore joining the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Our cooperation in science and technology is also advancing a step further with the first Brazilian scientific mission to Svalbard scheduled for next July. We thank the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Polar Institute for the collaboration provided to the Brazilian team.
Trade liberalization for its part is an important factor to consolidate and further strengthen our economic ties. We are keen to conclude a balanced agreement between Mercosul and EFTA and the two sides are working on the necessary efforts to bridge the gaps still existing in those negotiations.
Finally, I would like to say that Brazil has returned to the forefront of international discussions with a renewed commitment to multilateralism, democracy, human rights and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
We oppose the use of force in the international relations. We strongly condemn any violation of the territorial integrity of States and the acquisition of territories by force.
We call for a cessation of the hostilities in Ukraine and urge all parties involved to refrain from fueling further military confrontation and to actively search for a negotiated solution that takes into account their legitimate security concerns, as well as the urgent need to restore peace.
Search for peace must be a constant and collective endeavor.
As you know, Brazil is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations. It will assume the Presidency of Mercosul in the second half of this year and the Presidency of the G20 in 2024.
Thank you.
Statement by Ambassador Enio Cordeiro, Head of the Brazilian Delegation,
to the International Conference ‘Protecting Children in Armed Conflict’,
Oslo, 5-6 June 2023
Brazil is fully committed to the international efforts for the protection of children in armed conflicts.
The signature event during the Brazilian presidency of the UN Security Council, in July 2022, was precisely on the protection of children from the scourges of war.
Children are the most vulnerable victims of grave violations that result mainly from the failure by parties in conflict situations to comply with the provisions of the humanitarian law.
Therefore, in any part of the world, the most concrete and perhaps the only straight-forward step to prevent these grave violations is an immediate cessation of the hostilities.
The international community will never be able to protect children from the atrocities of displacement, abduction, forced recruitment, sexual violations, and separation from their families and their schools, if they are not saved from living in an environment stricken by armed confrontation.
This is by all means a collective responsibility, and the entire international community must be involved. This endeavour has a name, and it is “Search for Peace”.
For its part, Brazil continues to receive and to provide shelter, access to education and health services, and the prospect of a new life to a large number of families with their children fleeing from conflict situations in Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and also in Europe, as a result of the war in Ukraine.
I am also glad to inform you that we are now taking the necessary steps in Brazil for the re-establishment of a National Commission for the implementation of the International Humanitarian Law, as an additional effort to enhance our capacity to implement coordinated policies and programs to even better contribute to international efforts for the mitigation of the impact of armed conflicts on children.