In Guyana, Lula highlights opportunities for integration between Brazil and Caribbean countries

Strengthening ties, seeking investments and agreements based on shared priorities, stopping turning our backs on the American continent and allying to deal with the consequences of climate change. These were some of the points addressed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his participation as a guest at the 46th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Wednesday (February 28) in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana.

"We are aware of the region's main problems: food insecurity, which threatens half of the Caribbean population, and climate change, which endangers the entire planet, particularly island nations. I would like to emphasize that these two issues are at the heart of the debates Brazil is having in international forums. I would also like to point out that these two issues share the same root: inequality. As a result, the fight against inequality is also a fight for the Caribbean people," he said.

Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

"We are aware of the region's main problems: food insecurity, which threatens half of the Caribbean population, and climate change, which endangers the entire planet, particularly island nations. I would like to emphasize that these two issues are at the heart of the debates Brazil is having in international forums. I would also like to point out that these two issues share the same root: inequality. As a result, the fight against inequality is also a fight for the Caribbean people," he said.

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» Full speech of President Lula

The president believes that fighting inequality and poverty on a global scale requires a common effort. He invited Caribbean countries to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, one of Brazil's key actions during its G20 Presidency, which ends in November.

"It is inconceivable that on a planet capable of producing enough food to feed the entire world population, approximately 735 million people go hungry. It is inconceivable that the rich countries, which bear primary responsibility for the climate crisis, will continue to fail to meet their commitment to allocate US$ 100 billion per year to developing countries to combat climate change. It is not feasible for the world to spend US$ 2.2 trillion per year on weapons. We all know that wars cause destruction, suffering, and deaths, particularly among innocent civilians," said Lula. 

REGIONAL INTEGRATION - The president also emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation and integration between Brazil and other countries in the region, particularly in transportation and logistics. He believes that the lack of flights and land routes should be discussed and corrected.

"I learned from Prime Minister Mia Mottley that Barbados has 27 weekly flights to the United Kingdom and the United States, but none to Brazil. So, our biggest challenge is a lack of connections, whether by land, sea, or air. My government prioritizes integration and development through the Guiana Shield, which includes Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. We actually want to pave our way to the Caribbean. We will open corridors that can meet supply demands while also strengthening regional food security," he explained.

To address these issues, several ministers linked to the infrastructure area traveled with the president's delegation to Guyana: Renan Filho (Transport), Sílvio Costa Filho (Ports and Airports), Waldez Góes (Integration and Regional Development) and Simone Tebet (Planning and Budget).

"Our relationship can go beyond the sharing of best practices and training activities. We regard the bloc as a promising economic partner and strategic political interlocutor. Brazil is currently CARICOM's fifth largest supplier. Our trade flow was US$ 2.7 billion last year, but it had already surpassed US$ 5 billion in 2008, indicating potential for expansion. APEX has identified over a thousand opportunities for the introduction of Brazilian products into the Community countries. However, goods and services cannot circulate in areas without open roads. Belém, Boa Vista, and Manaus are closer to the Caribbean than to other major Brazilian cities," he said.

TRAVEL - Following the meeting, the president will hold a bilateral meeting with Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley, as well as a trilateral meeting with Guyana's President Irfaan Ali and Suriname's President Chan Santokhi. On Thursday, February 29, the president will meet with the president of Guyana before traveling to Kingstown, the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, also in the Caribbean. The following day, he will attend the opening ceremony of CELAC's 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government.