Brazil’s President Lula celebrates friendship with the UAE in Abu Dhabi

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was welcomed today (15) by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for a reception at the United Arab Emirates’ monumental seat of government, palace Qasr Al Watan. This was Lula’s first official engagement during this official visit to the UAE.

The reception ceremony included a performance of the national anthems of both countries. The Brazilian flag was displayed throughout the meeting venues.

The Brazilian delegation – which arrived in Abu Dhabi after three days in China – spoke with the UAE president and his team about the countries’ common interests.

Lula expressed his joy at returning to the United Arab Emirates to celebrate the bonds of friendship that unite the two countries – and recalled the summit between the UAE and South American countries during his first term in office. "The partnership between us is supported by our splendid connections in many different fields, and is evident in the expressive numbers of our trade and cooperation in sports and artificial intelligence,” declared Lula.

AGREEMENTS – A number of agreements – focused mainly on education, sustainability and energy – were signed during the talks between Brazil and the UAE. One of these was a Memorandum of Understanding between Brazil’s Rio Branco Institute and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy – to advance collaboration for diplomatic training; student and professor exchange programs; and interchange of diplomatic knowledge and research, as well as e-learning.

BILATERAL TRADE – The UAE is one of Brazil's three largest trading partners in the Middle East. In 2022, bilateral trade rose to USD 5.7 billion, a 74% increase in comparison to 2021, with a US$ 739 million surplus for Brazil. Agribusiness is a highlight and accounts for almost 60% of Brazilian exports to the UAE.

This is the second time the Brazilian president visits the United Arab Emirates – but today’s meeting, at the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is symbolically very different from the one 20 years ago, during Lula's first term in office.