Intergovernmental consultations in Brasília
Germany and Brazil want to intensify their cooperation in many policy areas, notably in the fields of climate protection and sustainable development. This was agreed upon by the participants of the first German-Brazilian intergovernmental consultations in Brasília.
The consultations serve to develop bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation on important issues
Photo: Bundesregierung/Steins
At the end of the consultations, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff underlined in a joint statement their resolve to promote an international order based on the rule of law, multilaterallism and diplomacy. They stressed the need to tackle the root causes of conflicts and threats to world peace and international security. To achieve this, the interdependence between peace, security and sustainable development must be considered, they declared.
Closer cooperation in many areas
Both leaders are determined to work towards a successful 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The aim is "a fair, ambitious, long-term, comprehensive and legally binding agreement under the UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change".
In the next two years, the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development will make 551.5 million euros available for bilateral cooperation. This support will be provided "for new cooperation projects". Emphasis will be placed on the conservation of tropical forests, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Berlin, 19 August 2015: Chancellor Merkel and representatives of the ministries are off to the 1st German-Brazilian intergovernmental consultations
After about twelve hours of travel, the delegation arrives at the airport if the capital Brasília
Chancellor Merkel is welcomed by Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff at Palacio da Alvorada. Afterwards they have dinner
20 August 2015: The consultations also serve to improve economic relations between the two countries. In that spirit, Merkel meets with representatives of German companies operating in Brazil
In front of the Pálacio de Planalto the soldiers are already waiting...
… to welcome the Chancellor with military honours
Germany holds intergovernmental consultations only with close partners. They serve to develop and strengthen bilateral relations
After the welcoming ceremony, there is a personal meeting between the Federal Chancellor and the Brazilian President
The focus of the first intergovernmental consultations is on science, innovation, technology, as well as cooperation in the areas of environment and climate
At noon, all the ministers and representatives of the ministries who have accompanied Merkel to Brazil come together for a plenary session
At noon, all the ministers and representatives of the ministries who have accompanied Merkel to Brazil come together for the plenary session
Concerning climate change, President Rousseff declares that Brazil is aiming for a gradual phasing out of coal, oil and gas
In addition to the joint statement of the heads of government, the following declarations and agreements were adopted within the framework of the consultations:
Joint declaration on climate change;
Joint Declaration on research, development and innovation with a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs);
Joint declaration of intent on bilateral cooperation in science, technology, innovation and education;
Joint declaration on the establishment of a German-Brazilian urbanisation partnership;
Minutes of the negotiations on cooperation for sustainable development.
In addition to Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, the German delegation was made up of the following participants:
Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Christian Schmidt, Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe, Federal Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks as well as the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Monika Grütters. The State Secretaries of the Federal Ministries for Economic Affairs and Energy, Finance, Labour and Social Affairs, Education and Research and the Ministry of Defence were also present.