On October 5, 2023, Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, began a two-day official visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil, the first high-level visit of its kind between the two countries.
The primary objective of this visit was to reinforce bilateral cooperation and boost trade between Rwanda and Brazil. Minister Biruta held productive meetings with senior officials from the Brazilian Federal Government, including the Ambassador Mauro Viera, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Together, they signed two important agreements: one concerning the transfer of sentenced persons, and another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at waiving visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.
In discussions with his counterpart, Minister Biruta emphasized the great potential for cooperation in sectors of mutual interest, notably Agriculture, Trade, Investment and
Air services.
“We have also agreed that a Rwandan business mission will visit Brazil in the near future. This visit will serve as a significant step towards deepening economic relations and fostering greater understanding between our nations,” he told members of the press in Brasilia.
On international affairs, Minister Biruta congratulated Brazil for its role as President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of October and exchanged views on pressing issues related to peace and security, particularly in the African Great Lakes region. They recognized the need for concerted efforts to address security challenges, and the need to work together to promote stability and prosperity in the region.
They also discussed the critical issue of climate change and its far-reaching implications. Both nations share deep concerns about the impact of climate change on their respective regions and are committed to addressing this challenge through collaborative efforts.
Rwanda and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1981. In recent years, both countries have shown mutual interest to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation. (End).