Commitment to Global Challenges and G20 Cooperation
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his gratitude to President Lula da Silva for Brazil’s leadership at the G20 Summit, particularly its focus on eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable development, and reforming global governance—issues critical to developing nations. He also conveyed well-wishes from Vietnam’s top leaders to the President and the Brazilian government.
President Lula welcomed Vietnam’s active participation in the G20 and emphasized Brazil’s commitment to pioneering initiatives that address global challenges, including the establishment of a Global Alliance against Poverty and reforms in global governance. He expressed confidence that Vietnam, with its proactive diplomacy and global vision, would contribute meaningfully to the summit’s success.
Deepening Bilateral Relations
Reflecting on 35 years of diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Chinh highlighted five key pillars that bind Vietnam and Brazil: shared ideals and mutual trust, cultural affinity, complementary economies, warm and sincere ties, and a shared aspiration for peace and progress. These commonalities have fostered significant progress in various areas, including high-level exchanges, robust trade growth, and collaboration in multilateral forums.
President Lula echoed these sentiments and expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. He endorsed Vietnam’s proposals, including Brazil’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status and the initiation of free trade agreement negotiations between Vietnam and MERCOSUR by 2025. He emphasized that these measures would bring tangible benefits to both countries.
Strategic Partnership for Comprehensive Cooperation
In a forward-looking move, both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. They directed their respective foreign ministries to finalize the framework and content of this new relationship. The Strategic Partnership will prioritize high-level exchanges, effective implementation of signed agreements, and enhanced cooperation in emerging fields such as high technology, digital transformation, renewable energy, and climate change adaptation.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of defense and security cooperation. This includes officer training, defense industry collaboration, logistics, military medicine, and peacekeeping efforts. Both countries will work closely to combat transnational crime and strengthen cybersecurity.
Expanding Cultural and Economic Collaboration
The leaders pledged to boost cultural and economic exchanges. Key initiatives include finalizing education cooperation agreements, advancing agricultural partnerships, and conducting joint projects under the 2024–2025 action plan. Brazil’s aerospace giant Embraer is set to participate in Vietnam’s International Defense Exhibition in December 2024, signaling new opportunities for defense cooperation.
On global and regional issues, both sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation. They called for reforms to the United Nations, global poverty alleviation efforts, and enhanced climate action. Both leaders emphasized resolving international disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Looking Ahead
President Lula extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Chinh to attend the 2025 BRICS+ Leaders’ Summit and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil. In turn, Prime Minister Chinh conveyed invitations from Vietnam’s leaders for President Lula to visit Vietnam in 2025, which the President warmly accepted.
This historic agreement to upgrade relations reflects the growing significance of Vietnam-Brazil cooperation, aiming to deepen ties across economic, cultural, and geopolitical domains.
