Official Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to the Federative Republic of Brazil, 16 to 18 April 2023

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan had a series of meetings with Brazilian Ministers and officials in Brasilia on 18 April 2023.

Minister Balakrishnan called on President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Itamaraty Palace. They reaffirmed the strong friendship between Singapore and Brazil. They had a good discussion on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, climate change and renewable energy. They also discussed regional and international issues and agreed that it was important for Singapore and Brazil to work together to enhance regional and international cooperation, peace and stability.

Minister Balakrishnan also called on Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce Geraldo Alckmin. Vice President Alckmin and Minister Balakrishnan welcomed the growing cooperation between Singapore and Brazil and looked forward to the signing of the MERCOSUR-Singapore Free Trade Agreement later this year. Vice President Alckmin expressed Brazil’s interest to expand its economic engagement of Asia, with Singapore as a regional hub. Vice President Alckmin and Minister Balakrishnan also discussed new areas of collaboration, including sustainable development and climate change.

In his meeting with Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Marina Silva, Minister Balakrishnan conveyed Singapore’s keen interest to pursue carbon credits cooperation with Brazil, aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, in a way that would support sustainable development and stimulate green growth for local communities and businesses. Minister Balakrishnan and Minister Silva exchanged views on how both countries have taken bold and proactive steps toward achieving their climate targets, while capturing new economic opportunities in the climate transition. They reaffirmed the need for Singapore and Brazil to work together as partners on climate issues. 

Minister Balakrishnan delivered a lecture for diplomats-in-training and members of the diplomatic corps at Rio Branco Institute, the Brazilian diplomatic academy. He outlined the principles of Singapore's foreign policy, highlighted the importance of international law and multilateralism for small states, and the challenges and opportunities in the Global South.

Minister Balakrishnan departs Brazil on 19 April 2023.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

19 APRIL 2023

Photo Caption: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s call on President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia, 18 April 2023

Photo Credit: Ricardo Stuckert/Planalto Palace

Photo Caption: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s call on Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce Geraldo Alckmin in Brasilia, 18 April 2023

Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore 

Photo Caption: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s meeting with Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Marina Silva in Brasilia, 18 April 2023

Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore 

Photo Caption: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s lecture at the Rio Branco Institute in Brasilia, 18 April 2023

Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore