1 Democracy and a rules-based world order
Cooperation with Brazil as a global player.
Brazil is a key global and regional player, including in forums such as the UN, G20 and the intergovernmental organisation BRICS. It is therefore important for Norway to strengthen our good relationship with the country, regardless of political changes. This provides an opportunity to both gain insight into important perspectives and create an understanding of Norwegian positions outside of our immediate neighbourhood. Brazil is one of the world’s largest democracies and contributes to a well-functioning international order based on the UN Charter and international law. It is in Norway’s interest that international cooperation, conflict resolution and the management of new challenges are based on such an order. This provides greater predictability and security, which in turn benefits both Norway and the rest of the global community. To succeed in this, countries need to feel that international law and the multilateral system are representative and fair, and deliver results on common global challenges.
Box 1.1 Cooperation between Norway and Brazil in the Security Council
In 2022, when Norway and Brazil were both elected members of the UN Security Council, we worked closely together, for instance by leading the work on resolutions that ensured cross-border humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups in Syria.
Furthermore, Brazil and Norway supported the UN Secretary-General’s conflict prevention work in general, in particular the efforts for an agreement that ensured the safe transport of grain and food from Ukrainian ports in the wake of the war there. The agreement has been important for both global food security and economic stability in Ukraine. Norway and Brazil also worked closely together to strengthen coordination between the elected members of the Security Council and to find common solutions.
Brazil and Norway already have a close dialogue on global issues and challenges, and work well together in several contexts. Foreign policy cooperation was strengthened when both countries sat on the UN Security Council, and when Norway was a guest country during Brazil’s presidency of the G20 in 2024. Norway also cooperates with other Nordic countries in a number of areas to promote common values and positions in Brazil.
Given our different geographical positions and histories, it is natural that we have different views on certain issues. Brazilian foreign policy naturally varies between different governments, but tends to be pragmatic and independent. It is in the interest of both countries to cooperate closely on fundamental principles of international law and reform of the UN system, as well as on peace and conflict resolution, climate and the environment, human rights and gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The same applies to cooperation with Brazil in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and support for reform of the organisation in order to safeguard a well-functioning and rules-based multilateral trading system.
Peace and conflict issues.
Norway and Brazil are engaged in dialogue on peace and conflict issues both globally and in a regional context. Through political dialogue, concrete cooperation and exchange of experience, both countries have gained greater insight into various conflicts and a broader understanding in this field. One example of operational cooperation is the peace process in Colombia, in which both Norway and Brazil have roles as guarantor countries.
Global health.
Norway and Brazil are engaged in productive dialogue in multilateral forums on global health. Pandemic prevention and response is becoming increasingly important, and cooperation in this area will continue. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the most important regional development bank in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Brazil is one of its largest owners. Norway and Brazil cooperate well in the IDB, for instance on the financing of reduced deforestation.
Anti-corruption.
Corruption is a global challenge that needs to be addressed both nationally and through cross-border cooperation. Norway and Brazil collaborate well in the anti-corruption field, e.g. in the UN, in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Working Group on Bribery (WGB) and in the G20 context. Norway aims to be a driving force in the fight against corruption, and will work closely with Brazil to promote international norms, standards and operational measures in this and in related fields. This includes in particular the continuation of work to prevent cross-border money laundering, for instance in the UN and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Cultural promotion.
Promoting Norwegian culture internationally is an integral part of Norwegian foreign policy. Culture as an independent expression has an important role in building reputation. Efforts in the cultural field in Brazil are part of the promotion of fundamental cultural rights, and must be seen in the context of Norway’s efforts to create favourable framework conditions for artistic freedom. It is desirable to see efforts in the cultural field in Brazil in the context of other policy areas, such as climate and the environment, and the promotion of key human rights and Norwegian values.
Bridge builders.
Norway and Brazil can both contribute to developing more robust partnerships between countries across different regions. A well-established partnership between Brazil and Norway will help enable us to find common solutions to global challenges.
Goal 1: Strengthened multilateral and bilateral cooperation to safeguard the international legal order and ensure Norwegian security and welfare.
Political dialogue and cooperation.
Norway will continue to develop effective multilateral cooperation with Brazil on global challenges to preserve a rules-based world order based on the UN Charter. Norway will have regular foreign policy consultations with Brazil, as well as regular consultations on multilateral issues and on the UN cooperation.
Peace and conflict resolution.
Norway will strengthen the contact and cooperation with the Brazilian authorities on peace and conflict resolution. Through more regular and structured political dialogue on conflicts in the region, we will explore concrete opportunities to establish new collaborative initiatives, both regionally and globally. We will share experiences and strengthen relevant knowledge development on approaches to peace and conflict resolution.
Human rights.
Norway will strengthen the dialogue with the Brazilian authorities on human rights and gender equality, both bilaterally and multilaterally. In particular, we will emphasise cooperation on civil society participation, indigenous peoples’ rights, protection of human rights defenders and environmental activists, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights and the human rights of LGBT+ people, as well as prevention and combating of racism. The UN Human Rights Council, the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly are relevant forums for multilateral human rights cooperation.
Multilateral trade cooperation.
Norway will strengthen the bilateral dialogue on trade issues and the reform work in the WTO, including regarding the needs of developing countries. In particular, we will work towards the WTO finding balanced solutions that help to strengthen the multilateral trading system.
Culture.
Norway will utilise the potential of promoting Norwegian culture as a diplomatic and foreign policy tool to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Norway and Brazil and further develop strong networks and cooperation.