Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, visited Brazil to discuss increasing cooperation in various fields, such as science, technology, and innovation, education, climate change and energy transition, and the signing of the MERCOSUR-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, visited Brazil from 16 to 18 April 2023 to discuss increasing cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in various fields, such as science, technology, and innovation, education, climate change and energy transition, and trilateral technical cooperation. One of the highlights of the visit was the conclusion of the MERCOSUR-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which aims to foster private sector engagement between the two countries and other MERCOSUR State Parties. The Ministers also recognized the strategic role of science, technology, and innovation for the competitiveness of their economies and agreed to encourage interaction between the two countries’ innovation ecosystems.
In addition to economic cooperation, Singapore expressed support for Brazil’s bid to host COP-30 in Belém in 2025, and welcomed the candidacy of Brazilian scientist Thelma Krug to Chair of the IPCC. Both Ministers also agreed on the importance of ensuring that the energy transition and the mitigation of emissions in the energy sector occur in a fair and equitable manner. Minister Balakrishnan had a series of meetings with Brazilian Ministers and officials in Brasilia, including President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce Geraldo Alckmin, and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Marina Silva.
Minister Balakrishnan’s visit highlights the growing cooperation between Singapore and Brazil in various fields, such as trade and investment, sustainable development, and climate change. The conclusion of the MERCOSUR-Singapore Free Trade Agreement is expected to foster greater private sector engagement and promote economic growth in both countries. Singapore’s support for Brazil’s bid to host COP-30 in Belém in 2025 and the candidacy of Brazilian scientist Thelma Krug to Chair of the IPCC demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to working with Brazil on climate issues. As both countries recognize the strategic role of science, technology, and innovation for their economies, they also agreed to encourage interaction between their innovation ecosystems.
Sourced from Singapore MFA
