2023 was marked as a year to rebuild Brazilian foreign policy

After its beginning in a context of global isolation and dismantlement of its multilateral diplomacy, 2023 was marked as a year of reconstruction of Brazilian foreign policy. In almost every issue in which Brazil had been a protagonist in the global scenario — such as climate change, sustainable development, human rights, and technical cooperation — there was a need to initiate new dialogs, both at the global and regional levels.

Lula reaffirms importance of the integration with Latin America in his first international missions to Argentina and Uruguay (CELAC Summit) after his inauguration

(1/21/2023) – Lula’s choice to initiate the international agenda in Argentina reflected the priority given to reinstating integration among the countries of the region, neglected by the previous government. He delivered a statement at the opening session of the VII Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and celebrated Brazil’s comeback to the community. 

Read more:

President goes to Argentina on his first international trip and reaffirms ties with Latin America (available in Portuguese)
Lula supports dialog and mutual support between Latin America countries at VII Celac Summit (available in Portuguese)
In bilaterais, Lula discusses cooperation, fight against hunger and new global governance (available in Portuguese)

FEBRUARY

Brazil – China cooperation foresees investments of BRL 50 billion

(4/14/2023) – Lula’s trip to China resulted in investments of around BRL 50 billion. Fifteen agreements were signed, with a highlight on the fields trade and technic and scientific cooperation on issues such as agriculture, space research, and energy. The trip also included stops in Shanghai for Dilma Rousseff’s inauguration as president of the NDB (the “BRICS Bank”) and in the United Arab Emirates, where investments of around BRL 12 billion in renewable energies were announced.

By invitation, Lula participates in the G7 Summit and reinforces the defense of peace and multilateralism

After 14 years, Brazil was once again invited to the summit of the world's seven most industrialized economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA).

During Lula's visit, Japan announces visa exemption for Brazilians

An agreement announced in a meeting between President Lula and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida frees Brazilian tourists entering Japan and Japanese tourists arriving in Brazil from visa requirements. The measure came into force on September 30.

Lula discusses rainforest protection with Indonesian president

UN confirms Belém do Pará as host of COP-30 climate conference

(5/26/2023) - President Lula has announced that Brazil will host the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP-30) in November 2025, in Belém (PA). The confirmation of Brazil as the host of the most important environmental event on the planet is a response to a request made by Lula himself during his participation in COP-27 in Egypt, shortly after winning the elections.

Lula holds summit of South American presidents in Brasilia

Lula and Pope Francis talk peace in Vatican audience

(6/21/2023) - A reserved meeting highlighted the convergence of visions between the president and the pontiff in the environmental and social areas and in the promotion of peace.

Lula and Pope Francis talk peace at Vatican audience (available in Portuguese)

In Paris, Lula calls on rich countries to finance environmental preservation

(6/22/2023) - President Lula's trip to France was marked by a speech at the opening of the 'New Global Finance Pact' and participation in the 'Power Our Planet' initiative, which brought together a large audience at Champs de Mars. Lula called on world leaders to fight inequality, fulfill the environmental commitments of developed countries and reform the institutions of global governance.

In Paris, Lula demands from rich countries responsibility for financing environmental preservation (available in Portuguese)

Brazil takes over temporary presidency of Mercosur and Lula calls for unity between countries

(7/4/2023) - President Lula received the temporary presidency of Mercosur from President Alberto Fernández of Argentina during the 62nd Summit of Heads of State of the South American bloc in Puerto Iguazu. In his speech, Lula defended the union between the neighboring countries as a way of facing contemporary challenges.

Lula participates in electoral agreement between Venezuelan government and opposition

(7/18/2023) - On the sidelines of the third Summit of the European Union-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the presidents of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and France led an initiative that brought the Venezuelan government and opposition to the negotiating table in order to reach agreements that would lead to the organization of fair, transparent and inclusive elections in the country. One of the immediate results of the initiative was the temporary lifting of some sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the US.

Brazil holds first Amazon Summit

(8/9/2023) - Brazil held the first Amazon Summit, bringing together leaders from the region's countries. The meeting was preceded by the Amazon Dialogues, with broad social participation, and resulted in the Belém Declaration, a document that highlights joint commitments and priorities in the protection and sustainable development of the Amazon.

Lula attends BRICS summit in South Africa

(8/22/2023) - President Lula took part in the 15th BRICS Heads of State Summit in Johannesburg. The theme of the meeting was "BRICS and Africa: partnerships for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism". One of the highlights was the joint decision to expand the bloc with the accession of new member countries.

Lula attends summit of Portuguese-speaking countries in São Tomé and Príncipe

Brazil and Argentina sign US$ 600 million agreement to finance exports

(8/28/2023) - Cooperation between Banco do Brasil, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) could provide US$ 600 million to guarantee the flow of Brazilian exports to the neighboring country.

Brazil to take over G20 presidency for the first time

(8/30/2023) - Brazil's term as president of the G20, the bloc that brings together the world's 21 largest economies, runs from Dec. 1st to Nov. 30/24 and focuses on the themes of inclusion, sustainability and the reform of global governance. More than 200 meetings are planned throughout the country, including the Summit to be held in November 24 in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil to hold G20 presidency for the first time after summit in India (available in Portuguese)

In a speech at the UN, Lula supports dialog as a tool for building peace

(9/19/2023) - In a highly praised speech, President Lula opened the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, reaffirming the need for global union against inequality and hunger, the adoption of urgent measures against climate change and the reform of global governance institutions.

Brazil and USA launch joint initiative on decent work

(9/20/2023) - An unprecedented initiative aimed at valuing decent jobs and combating job insecurity in both countries and on a global scale was launched by Presidents Lula and Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on 9/20.

Brazil chairs UN Security Council meeting on Middle East war

Brazil chairs UN Security Council meeting to address war in the Middle East (available in Portuguese)

Operation Returning in Peace: more than 1,400 Brazilians transported from the conflict zone in the Middle East on Brazilian Air Force flights

(12/23/2023) - Brazil has begun Operation Returning in Peace, rescuing Brazilian civilians and their families from conflict zones in the Middle East, in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. By December, more than 1,400 people had been repatriated by the Brazilian government and welcomed into national territory.

President Lula installs G20 National Commission

(11/23/2023) - President Lula installed the National Commission of the G20 - a group that brings together the twenty largest economies in the world. The ceremony at the Planalto Palace was attended by the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira, the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Roberto Barroso, the Central Bank, Roberto Campos Neto, as well as ministers and other authorities.

President establishes National G20 Committee

DECEMBER

Lula's visit to Berlin consolidates the resumption of the Brazil-Germany strategic partnership

(12/3/2023) - President Lula was in Germany, marking the conclusion of an intense year of bilateral cooperation in which Brazil received visits from various German authorities. The diplomatic rapprochement resulted in the signing of agreements in areas such as energy, industry and energy transition. A highlight was the joint declaration on technological cooperation to promote information integrity and combat disinformation (fake news).

Government celebrates results of COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates

(12/13/2023) - The event in Dubai addressed, for the first time, the issue of overcoming the use of fossil fuels, setting global goals for the transformation of energy systems towards climate neutrality by 2050. Another important outcome of COP28 was the conclusion of the first global stocktake on the Paris Agreement.

Amazon Fund to receive R$3.9 billion in donations in 2023

(12/11/2023) - Since January 2023, the Amazon Fund has received BRL 3.9 billion in new donations. The resumption of the fund was accompanied by and results from the return of effective policies to control deforestation in Brazil, with very significant results. The Fund, which had contributions from Germany and Norway, had been frozen by the previous government. Under President Lula's government, it also received resources from Denmark, the European Union, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the USA.