Addis Ababa: The Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has today urged African leaders to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Brazil across various sectors to achieve mutual progress and address global challenges.

Speaking at the opening of African Union Summit in Addis Ababa today, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said ”over 200 million Brazilians recognize themselves as Afro-descent.”

The President emphasized the need for Africans and Brazilians to forge their own path in the emerging international order and create a new global governance system to tackle contemporary challenges.

We, Africans and Brazilians, need to design our own path in the international order that is now emerging. We need to create a new global governance capable of confronting the challenges of our time.”

The President highlighted that the era of minimum state intervention is no longer effective, stressing the importance of agricultural and industrial development in public policies worldwide.

He also emphasized the sign
ificance of the digital and energy transitions, which require government incentives and guidance.

Lula acknowledged the undeniable progress of the BRICS alliance in networking emerging countries and emphasized the crucial role of developing countries in addressing global crises, particularly those that disproportionately affect the poorest and migrants.

Furthermore, the President rejected the notion that the solution to global challenges lies with extreme right-wing ideologies and emphasized the need for inclusive social projects that ensure prosperity, freedom, democracy, and sovereignty for all.

The President expressed the need for a strengthened United Nations, including a Security Council with greater representation from African and Latin American countries.

The President acknowledged Africa’s immense potential, pledging Brazil’s commitment to grow alongside the continent. He highlighted Brazil’s efforts to restore political and economic sovereignty, promote participatory democracy, combat hunger and
poverty, and provide inclusive education.

The President also expressed willingness to collaborate with Africa in areas such as food production, renewable energy, healthcare, and environmental protection, particularly in safeguarding the Amazon and Congo tropical forests.

To advance these initiatives, the President proposed the establishment of an advanced cooperation post with the African Union.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency