Brazil at ZOPACAS

Brazil has historically played a significant leading role in ZOPACAS. In addition to presenting the draft resolution that established it, Brazil hosted two of the eight ministerial meetings of the mechanism, in Rio de Janeiro (1988) and Brasilia (1994). The IX ZOPACAS Ministerial Meeting is scheduled to take place in Brazil in 2026.

With the purpose of consolidating ZOPACAS as a forum for consultation, Brazil organized a high-level meeting in Rio de Janeiro in July 1988. Since then, seven other ministerial meetings have been held: Abuja (1990), Brasília (1994), Somerset West (1996), Buenos Aires (1998), Luanda (2007); Montevideo (2013); and Mindelo (2023). In addition to having hosted two ministerial meetings, Brazil has sought to contribute actively to the holding of the other meetings, as well as activities in the period between the meetings.

The revitalization of ZOPACAS is a priority for Brazilian foreign policy. Besides being an important forum for consultation and cooperation to address the worsening security situation in the South Atlantic, ZOPACAS offers space for cooperation among its members in various areas, such as marine seabed mapping, oceanographic research, environment, air and maritime transport, defense and education.

The promotion of stability in the South Atlantic meets Brazilian strategic interests. Since its first edition, in 1996, the National Defense Policy has recognized the strategic importance of the South Atlantic, which integrates the Brazilian strategic environment, an area in which the country acts with a view to guaranteeing its sovereignty over the territory and promoting the interests of the State.