Lula discusses paths toward world peace with UN Secretary-General António Guterres

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met today (21) with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The meeting took place in Hiroshima, Japan, within the framework of the expanded G7 summit.

In a conversation that lasted around half an hour, Lula and Guterres discussed a possible peace plan for the war in Ukraine. To Lula, the fact that the conflict is not being dealt with within the scope of the UN Security Council demonstrates that the latter needs to be reformed.

Guterres stated that international forums such as the G20 - which brings together the world's 19 largest economies and the European Union - have a significant contribution to make. Brazil will occupy the group's presidency at the end of this year.

The UN secretary general also stated that he would support Brazil's efforts to create a cooperation group with countries that harbor extensive forests, such as the Amazon nations, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lula, in turn, mentioned the Amazon Summit, to be held in August in Belém (in the Brazilian state of Pará), and also highlighted Brazil's enormous potential for energy transition.

Lula and Guterres agreed that the international financial system needs to be reformed to prevent future systemic crises and help developing nations.

Lula also stated that he wants to make Portuguese one of the UN's working languages alongside English, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, and Russian.

Historic relations

Brazil is one of the 51 founding members of the United Nations, an organization established in 1945 after the end of World War II. Since 1955, the Brazilian representative has delivered the opening speech of the UN General Assembly. Brazil has also held one of the non-permanent seats on the Security Council.