The impacts of the rise of geopolitical tensions, threats to democracy, attacks on human rights and the existential threat of climate change can be felt by all Canadians and all global citizens.
To build durable and sustainable solutions, Canada is working to deepen its existing friendships and build new partnerships. In this context, Minister Joly has concluded a productive visit to Brazil, where she travelled to Brasilia from June 26 to 28.
Minister Joly's trip marks the first foreign minister bilateral visit to the country since 2013, officially launching a period of increased Canada-Brazil engagement as Brazil prepares to host the G20 in 2024 and COP30 in 2025.
Minister Joly met with both President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) and Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira for meaningful discussions on a wide range of geopolitical issues and explored opportunities for working together to address issues of mutual concern.
In all of her engagements, Minister Joly re-affirmed Canadians' support for Brazil's democracy, which remains strong following the attacks of January 8th, 2023 on Brazil's democratic institutions, and Canada's commitment to supporting democracy throughout the region.
As two countries with globally significant forests, Canada and Brazil are key players in the fight against climate change. With President Lula, Foreign Minister Vieira and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, Minister Joly discussed opportunities for future Canada-Brazil collaboration with respect to forest management and the protection of the Amazon, in particular.
As Brazil is Canada's largest trading partner in South America, Minister Joly also discussed with Foreign Minister Vieira and President Lula how to further deepen our economic ties and support inclusive trade, creating good jobs in both countries, and ensuring that the benefits of trade are more widely shared and no one is left behind.
In re-launching the Strategic Partnership Dialogue with Minister Vieira, key areas for bilateral cooperation were advanced, including signing the Defence Cooperation Agreement; a step forward to greater alignment on addressing security and humanitarian crises in an increasingly challenging geo-political context, including achieving sustainable peace in Ukraine. Minister Joly also discussed with both President Lula and Minister Vieira how Canada and Brazil can continue their work together in supporting regional security. She also explored opportunities for collaborating with Brazil in the support of the Haitian National Police.
The Minister also had meaningful discussions with Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva and Minster for Indigenous Peoples, Sônia Guajajara, where they emphasized their commitment to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and Indigenous leadership on climate action. These meetings open the door to future collaboration on practical initiatives on the path to reconciliation, including promoting Indigenous rights, and responding to climate change in advance of Brazil hosting COP30 in 2025 in the Amazon.
Minister Joly also met with Cida Gonçalves, Minister for Women, and Rosa Weber, President of the Federal Supreme Court to discuss advancing shared democratic values, including gender equality, minority rights, and the meaningful participation of women in all sectors. Combatting the rise of violence against women and the spread of disinformation that threatens democratic institutions was also discussed.
Canada is committed to strengthening the foundation of Canada-Brazil relations, and paving the way for greater cooperation; including, on the revitalization of the multilateral system, as well as on promoting good governance, peace, security and stability in the Americas, and globally.
