At the Itamaraty Palace, headquarters of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, the Brazilian president assured that cooperation between Brazil and the Caribbean countries will be one of the pillars of his foreign policy for this new administration cycle.
Lula described the meeting as a historic moment to rethink relations between South America and Caribbean nations, prioritizing sustainable development, solidarity, and climate justice. “Brazil is back on the global stage, and it will not be indifferent to its neighbors,” he told leaders from 15 Caribbean countries.
He reiterated his willingness to strengthen technical cooperation mechanisms, investments in resilient infrastructure, and support for small island states that are highly vulnerable to climate change.
The host president urged reform of the international financial system, “so that it stops penalizing those who pollute the least and suffer the most.”
He proposed creating a South-South Climate Fund, with Brazilian and Caribbean resources, to address extreme events such as hurricanes, droughts, and sea level rise.
He also advocated for the expansion of health and education programs in the region, reviving initiatives that had been stalled in previous years.
On economic matters, the head of state advocated diversifying trade, facilitating market access, and reducing tariff barriers.
“Economic integration should not be limited to the major powers; it must also serve the peoples of the global South,” he stressed.
He condemned the US blockade of Cuba and the inclusion of the island on the unilateral list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Lula also mentioned the creation of a Permanent Mechanism for Dialogue between Brazil and the Caribbean to facilitate annual meetings between ministers, business leaders, and social representatives in search of common solutions.
In a firm but conciliatory tone, the Brazilian leader concluded: “Our roots are intertwined by a history of resistance, and the future demands unity. Together we are stronger in the face of the world’s inequalities.”
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