By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made history on Friday with a visit to the ASEAN Headquarters in South Jakarta, becoming the first Brazilian head of state to do so.
The visit also reflected the growing partnership between the regional bloc and Latin America’s largest economy.
Lula and his delegation were welcomed by ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn, who praised Brazil’s commitment to strengthening cooperation following the creation of the ASEAN-Brazil Sectoral Dialogue Partnership in 2022, according to a statement from the ASEAN Secretariat.
During talks, Lula and Kao discussed cooperation in key areas such as energy, food security, and people-to-people exchanges. They also underscored shared priorities — notably promoting trade and investment, tourism, climate action, and sustainable development — as well as advancing the ASEAN 2045 Vision.
Kao also lauded Brazil’s leadership in advancing the interests of the Global South and its active role in international fora, including its BRICS Presidency this year and its upcoming hosting of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November.
As part of the visit, Lula toured the ASEAN Gallery, which showcases the history, culture, and achievements of the ASEAN member states, and exchanged commemorative tokens with Kao to mark the occasion.
Brazil acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2011 and established its Mission to ASEAN in 2023, the first by any ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner.
Lula arrived in Jakarta on Wednesday ahead of his visit to Malaysia on Friday for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and the East Asia Summit.
-- BERNAMA
