Republic of Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an archipelago located in the North Pacific, west of the Philippines. It is one of the world’s smallest countries, with 181 square kilometers and a population of around 55,000 people. It is a constitutional republic with a mixed presidential-parliamentary system.

The archipelago was administered by Germany between 1886 and 1914, by Japan from 1914 and by the U.S. from 1947. It gained its independence in 1979. In 1986, it signed a Compact of Free Asssociation with the United States, which grants the US defense responsibilities, conduction of some aspects of foreign affairs and financial assistance to the islands.

In addition to US financial assistance and lease payments for  the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base, the country’s economy is based on subsistence agriculture, fishing and small-livestock production. Industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra (dried coconut pulp). Tourism potential has not yet been fully exploited.

The country is a member of the 1982 Nauru Agreement, which aims to promote the coordination and harmonization of tuna fishery management in the eight member countries. The issue is of great relevance to Pacific island countries, which depend to a greater or lesser extent on revenues from fishing licenses for foreign vessels to fund the government. In the case of the Marshall Islands, 60 percent of government revenues in 2016 came from such licenses.

Brazil and the Marshall Islands established diplomatic relations in 2010. Bilateral rapprochement efforts were initiated in 2005, when ambassador Georges Lamazière headed the first official mission to that country.

The Embassy of Brazil in Manila is responsible for overseeing the bilateral relations with the Marshall Islands. Brazil and the Marshall Islands have not yet signed any bilateral instruments.

The Marshall Islands were Brazil’s second-largest trading partner in Oceania in 2021, behind only Australia. In the same year, bilateral trade reached $295 million, an amount higher than that of bigger economies such as Bulgaria, New Zealand and Mozambique. A significant growth in bilateral trade began in 2018. Brazilian exports account for almost the total value of bilateral trade, including $284 million in oil sales, which began to be exported to the Marshall Islands in 2018 and saw a 69 percent increase in 2019. Brazil is the second-largest supplier of the product to the Marshallese market, after China. Mineral water and animal protein are also Brazilian exports to that country.

Chronology of bilateral relations

2010 – Diplomatic relations are established

2009 – The representative of the Marshall Islands to the UN visits Brazil

2005 – Brazilian official mission to the Marshall Islands