President Lula meets with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Agenda included current political scenario, energy transition, Brazilian priorities ahead of G20 Summit, invitation from Lula to Starmer for official visit to Brazil

Published in Sep 25, 2024 06:35 PM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer alongside President Lula: partnership. Image: Ricardo Stuckert / PR

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, on Wednesday, September 25, in New York. The meeting is part of Lula's agenda on the sidelines of the 79^th United Nations General Assembly. The two leaders took the opportunity to discuss the current international political scenario.

Lula reiterated to the British leader some of the priorities of his administration, such as economic growth, job creation, the recovery of public services, especially in the field of health, as well as investments in youth and the fight against domestic violence.

With Brazil leading the G20 presidency in 2024, Lula updated his colleague on Rio de Janeiro's preparations to host the Leaders' Summit on November 18 and 19, and emphasized Brazil's priorities, consolidated around the fight against hunger and inequality; measures to confront climate change; and the reform of multilateral institutions.

The Prime Minister shared with Lula some of the UK’s projects aimed at the energy transition up to 2030 — such as smaller plants and investment in wind energy.

Starmer also addressed the Labour Party Conference, held yesterday in Liverpool, England.

The leaders also discussed issues related to the reform of the UN Security Council. Starmer reinforced the UK's support for Brazil's inclusion in that body, and highlighted the importance of the organization encouraging economic development and reforming financing for the poorest.

The critical situation in the Middle East, along with the call for a ceasefire there and in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, were also topics of discussion.

At the meeting’s conclusion, Lula invited the Prime Minister for an official visit to Brazil, including a business agenda and cooperation with trade unions to foster improvements for workers.

Brazil has not received a visit from a UK Prime Minister for 12 years, and 2025 is symbolic as it marks 200 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.