Dhaka: The 2nd Foreign Office Consultation between Brazil and Bangladesh was held in Brasília under the leadership of the Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.
Bangladesh’s delegation, led by the Foreign Secretary, included Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Brazil Sadiya Fayezunnesa, among others.
On behalf of the Brazilian government, the delegation was led by Maria Rosa, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Ambassador Eduardo Saboia from the Asia-Pacific and Russia Division, and other relevant diplomatic personnel.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Brazil provided this information on Tuesday (October 3rd).
In this bilateral meeting, extensive discussions took place on a wide range of issues, including climate change, sustainable development goals, food and nutrition security, healthcare, women’s empowerment and human rights, and United Nations reform. The two nations also discussed potential areas for bilateral trade and investment, as well as Bangladesh’s participation in the Mercosur Regional Trade Bloc in South America.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen highlighted Bangladesh’s remarkable socio-economic development under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and informed the participants about Bangladesh’s plan to achieve sustainable development by 2030 and build a knowledge and technology-dependent Smart Bangladesh by 2041. He also discussed Bangladesh’s significant role in the economic success of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Foreign Secretary Maria Rosa of Brazil praised Bangladesh’s achievements in poverty alleviation, inequality reduction, women’s empowerment, and climate change adaptation, highlighting Bangladesh’s success on the national and international stages. She expressed her commitment to further strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between Bangladesh and Brazil, with a particular focus on enhancing bilateral trade.
Later on the same day, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Masud Bin Momen had separate meetings with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. During these meetings, they discussed the history of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence and the long-standing political ties between the two nations.
In these bilateral discussions, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira praised Bangladesh’s extraordinary progress in economic and social development over the past decade and expressed Brazil’s keen interest in working together with Bangladesh in various international forums and in promoting economic and trade relations. He also conveyed Brazil’s heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the people of Bangladesh for their genuine support and enthusiasm for Brazilian football and their support for Brazil in the FIFA World Cup.
Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira extended an invitation to Bangladesh’s President to visit Brazil and expressed Brazil’s support for Bangladesh’s candidature in regional and international forums.
During his stay in Brasília, the Foreign Secretary visited the Bangladesh Embassy in Brasília and interacted with embassy officials and staff.
It’s worth noting that after the establishment of Bangladesh’s only diplomatic mission in South America in Brazil, the 1st Foreign Office Consultation was held in Dhaka in 2016. The next Foreign Office Consultation between Bangladesh and Chile will be held on October 4-5, 2023, in Santiago, Chile, during the Foreign Secretary’s ongoing official visit.
