Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil and Rotating Chairperson of the ASEAN Committee to Brasilia, Bui Van Nghia, led a delegation of ASEAN diplomats on a working visit to Belém, the capital of Pará state in northern Brazil, from May 5th to 9th.
According to a report by the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent in South America, during the visit, the ASEAN delegation held extensive exchanges with local state and municipal leaders, research institutions, and business representatives.
In a meeting with Pará Governor Helder Barbalho, Ambassador Bui Van Nghia emphasized the enormous potential for cooperation between ASEAN and Brazil. ASEAN is currently Brazil's fourth-largest trading partner, reflecting the growing importance of Southeast Asia in Brazil's foreign policy and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Bui Van Nghia believes that there is still significant untapped potential in Brazil-ASEAN relations, particularly in areas such as investment, technology, sustainable agriculture, digital transformation, and renewable energy.
Ambassador Bui Van Nghia stated that Vietnam and Brazil will upgrade their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during the G20 summit in November 2024. In particular, President Lula da Silva's state visit to Vietnam in March 2025 will open up numerous opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Bui Van Nghi suggested that the Pará State government support Vietnam in negotiating and signing a free trade agreement between Vietnam and Mercosur.
During his meeting with Belém Mayor Igor Normando, Ambassador Bui Van Nghi suggested expanding cooperation between ASEAN and Belém in areas such as urban planning, tourism, environmental sanitation, and disaster risk management.
On this occasion, the ASEAN ambassadors also met with Belém City Council President John Wayne and Pará State Director of Economic Development, Mining and Energy Paulo Bengtson, and visited the EMBRAPA Amazon Oriental Institute, further enhancing mutual understanding between ASEAN and Brazil and promoting comprehensive cooperation in areas such as climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, trade and investment, and cultural exchange. (End)
