On the last stopover of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s official trip, members of the Brazilian government signed this Saturday (15) cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates. The signing took place during a reception at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, where Lula had dinner with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Claiming fatigue, the president left without speaking to the press.
Lula promised to talk to journalists this Sunday morning (16th), in Lisbon, where the entourage will make a stopover before returning to Brasília. The arrival in Brazil is scheduled for this Sunday at 21:20 (Brasília time).
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi – Ricardo Stuckert/PR
In the only appointment of the day, Lula participated in a iftar, meal celebrated after sunset during Ramadan (period of fasting during daylight in the Islamic religion), with al-Nahyan. While the dinner was taking place, members of the Brazilian delegation and members of the government of the United Arab Emirates signed memoranda of understanding.
Cooperations between the two countries cover trade, sports and artificial intelligence. “The partnership between our countries is supported by rich connections in the most diverse areas, translated into the expressive numbers of our trade, cooperation in sports and artificial intelligence”, said the president in a quick statement at the closing of the event.
memos
A member of the official entourage, the governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues, signed a memorandum of understanding between the state and the Abu Dhabi financial fund Mubadala Capital, controller of the Mataripe refinery, privatized in 2021. The business fund committed to investing R$ 12 billion in ten years in the construction of a green diesel and sustainable aviation kerosene plant.
Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago signed a memorandum of understanding between the UAE government and the Brazilian government on climate action. In November, the country will host the 28th edition of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 2023). The meeting will take place in Dubai, an emirate neighboring Abu Dhabi.
Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Duarte, secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Africa and the Middle East, signed a memorandum for cooperation between the Rio Branco Institute and the Dr. Anwar Gargash.
Before dinner, the Al Fursan squadron, from the United Arab Emirates Air Force, left traces of the colors of the Brazilian flag on the presidential palace upon the arrival of the Brazilian leader.
This is Lula’s second visit to the United Arab Emirates. The Brazilian president had gone to the country in 2003, in his first term. The Brazilian government clarified that the stop in Abu Dhabi, made on the way back from the trip to China, was at the invitation of the government of the United Arab Emirates and informed that the expenses were paid by the country.
In China, Lula signed 15 partnership agreements with President Xi Jinping. Before leaving for the United Arab Emirates, the Brazilian leader said that the relationship between Brazil and China changed levels. According to him, Brazil will benefit from investments in energy transition, connectivity, education and culture.
