Brazil has officially announced its support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Additionally, the Latin American nation has assured its backing for Bangladesh’s inclusion into the BRICS alliance.

Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, conveyed this support during a meeting with Humayun Kabir, the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, at the Palácio do Planalto on Thursday (May 14) local time.

Bangladesh is contesting against Cyprus in the upcoming election, scheduled to be held on June 2 in New York. Along with Brazil, Algeria has also pledged its support for Bangladesh’s UNGA presidency bid.

During the meeting, Celso Amorim proposed the establishment of an institutional platform for regular meetings to deepen direct high-level political dialogue and strategic coordination between the two nations. "In the current global reality, close political understanding among the countries of the Global South is crucial," Amorim noted.

Welcoming the proposal, Humayun Kabir stated, "This will further strengthen strategic cooperation and long-term policy alignment between our two countries."

Trade and Economic Cooperation
The two sides also discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation, noting that trade volume has reached approximately USD 4 billion. However, both leaders agreed that the current trade relationship remains underutilized relative to its actual potential.

Confirming Brazil’s backing for Bangladesh’s candidacy to preside over the 81st session of the UNGA, Advisor Amorim said, "Brazil's endorsement reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s constructive international role, its commitment to inclusive multilateralism, and its leadership in defending the interests of the Global South."

Expressing gratitude for Brazil's support, Humayun Kabir said, "At a time when the world faces complex challenges such as war, inequality, climate crises, and a lack of trust in multilateral institutions, transforming the UN into a more inclusive, effective, and equitable body is absolutely critical."

He added that the economies of Bangladesh and Brazil are mutually complementary. Bangladesh imports cotton, soybeans, sugar, and agricultural products from Brazil, while there is significant potential to export ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, jute products, and ceramics to the Brazilian market. To facilitate this, he suggested establishing direct shipping routes, increasing investments, and reducing reliance on intermediaries.

Diplomatic Ties and Regional Policy
The meeting also touched upon the upcoming Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), which will take place after Brazil's general elections later this year. Both sides expressed optimism about finalizing several agreements in areas such as agriculture, technology, health, education, sports, energy, and innovation.

Discussing regional and global politics, Humayun Kabir emphasized that Bangladesh’s foreign policy is guided by the principles of "equality, dignity, mutual respect, and balanced engagement." He asserted that the current government does not believe in a submissive foreign policy, and that Bangladesh's diplomacy will remain dignified and anchored in national interest.

The Foreign Affairs Advisor also noted that the Bangladesh government is keen to revitalize SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) in the interest of peace, stability, and economic cooperation in South Asia.

BRICS and New Development Bank
Humayun Kabir highlighted Bangladesh's keen interest in gaining BRICS membership during the talks. In response, Celso Amorim stated that he would discuss the matter with President Lula and exert his maximum effort to support Bangladesh's inclusion.

Concurrently, the Bangladeshi Ambassador urged the New Development Bank (NDB) to set up a branch in Dhaka. He pointed out that although Bangladesh is a member of the NDB, project implementation remains limited due to the absence of a local country office.