Viet Nam supports Brazil's aspiration for permanent seat on reformed UN Security Council: Joint Statement

1. At the invitation of President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Luong Cuong, Pressident of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid a State visit to Viet Nam from March 27-29, 2025.

2. During the visit, the Brazilian President held talks with President Luong Cuong, met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.

3. President Luong Cuong and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva informed each other about the recent political, economic and social developments in each country, discussed ways to effectively implement the Viet Nam-Brazil Strategic Partnership framework, and shared views on regional and international issues of common concern.

4. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke highly of Viet Nam's great socio-economic achievements of the renewal process in recent đecades and acknowledged Viet Nam's rising position on the international arena. President Luong Cuong congratulated Brazil's achievements in promoting sustainable development and social inclusion, contributing to consolidating peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.

5. The two leaders underscored the historic significance of the Joint Statement on upgrading the Viet Nam-Brazil relations to a Strategic Partnership released on November 18, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro. The two sides emphasized that the Strategic Partnership was formulated on the basis of the diplomatic relations over the past 35 years, reflecting the common aspiration of strengthening the bilateral ties through dialogue and cooperation for mutual benefits. The two sides highly valued the Strategic Partnership symbolizing the close friendship between Viet Nam and Brazil, and the common values and principles of international relations, especially for peace protection and adherence to international law and cooperation for mutual development.

6. The two sides welcomed the signing of an action plan to implement the Strategic Partnership for the period 2025-2030, which covers six pillars: (i) politics, defense, and global challenges; (ii) economy-trade and investment; (iii) science-technology and innovation; (iv) climate change and environment; (v) education, culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges; (vi) consular affairs and community support. The two leaders expressed their belief that the realization of the targets enshrined in the action plan will advance the Strategic Partnership in a comprehensive and substantive manner, making positive contributions to development in each country and bring benefits to people of the two countries.

7. The two leaders spoke highly of and witnessed the signing and exchange of cooperation documents, including: Agreement on the exchange of secret information, Agreement on income-induced employment for relatives of diplomats, Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a working group to promote cooperation in trade and industry between the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of Brazil. The two leaders directed relevant ministries and agencies to continue negotiations and signing of more agreements to further facilitate investment, justice, legal and cybersecurity cooperation in the future.

The two leaders also spoke highly of the signing of a Memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) and the Brazil Football Federation.

8. The two leaders spoke highly of the outcomes of the Viet Nam-Brazil Economic Forum, which was organized on the occasion of the visit and was attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and leaders of governments and enterprises from both countries.

9. Acknowledging economic cooperation as a key pillar of the bilateral ties as well as hugely untapped potential for cooperation, the two leaders agreed to double efforts towards raising the two-way trade to US$15 billion by 2030. The two leaders also agreed to continue efforts to diversify trade exchanges between the two countries. In this regard, the two sides highly valued business opportunities in the of animal protein and aircraft.

10. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva thanked the Government of Viet Nam for its decision to open the Vietnamese market to Brazil's beef. The President announced Brazil's decision to lift ban on tilapia and open the Brazilian market to certain types of shrimps, in accordance with international standards. Regarding tra and basa fish, the Government of Brazil commits to conducting a technical assessment as soon as possible. The two leaders welcomed cooperation opportunities in the civil and military aircraft industry; encouraged Embraer and Vietnamese partners to continue aircraft purchase and investment. The two leaders agreed to assign their ministers to closely follow to early achieve cooperation results in these fields.

11. Taking into account Viet Nam's progress in economic reform and international integration and basing on the interests of both sides in strengthening economic cooperation, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced Brazil's decision to recognize Viet Nam's market economy status.

12. The two leaders reaffirmed the two countries' interests in expanding economic relations between Viet Nam and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) in which Brazil is a member. As the rotating President of Mercosur in the second half of 2025, Brazil stands ready to discuss a balanced and mutually-beneficial framework for this goal in line with the two sides' economic policies.

13. The two leaders highlighted the potential for scientific and technological cooperation between Viet Nam and Brazil, emphasizing the importance of expanding partnership in research and development and innovation to promote sustainable development and improving living standards. The two sides welcomed the enhancement of cooperation between the two countries' Ministries of Science and Technology and expressed wish to promote cooperation with the first meeting of the Joint Committee on scientific, technological and innovation cooperation scheduled to take place in Brasilia in the fourth quarter of 2025. Among the priority topics of mutual interest, the two sides place emphasis on the fields of digital transformation, innovation, biodiversity, biotechnology, nanotechnology and photonics.

14. The two leaders agreed to maintain dialogue on bioenergy, renewable energy and other initiatives that support energy transition and reduce inequality between countries.

15. President Luong Cong congratulated Brazil on the success of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024; reaffirmed support for Brazil's initiatives within the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty framework, of which Brazil is a founding member, and committed to joint efforts against hunger in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Viet Nam highly values Brazil's priorities for healthcare, trade, investment and finance, climate change, artificial intelligence governance, reform of multilateral peace and security system and development of BRICS institutions, during Brazil's rotating Presidency. Brazil highly values Viet Nam's contributions to global efforts in sustainable development, as evidenced in hosting the P4G Summit in April this year.

16. The two leaders reaffirmed their national commitment to multilateralism, full respect for the United Nations Charter, international law and independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. Both sides underlined the values of dialogue and cooperation within regional, inter-regional and global mechanisms. The two leaders pledged to enhance coordination and mutual support in issues of mutual concern. The two leaders expressed their support for ASEAN centrality in regional issues and agreed to seek ways to strengthen cooperation between Southeast Asia and Latin America as well as between regional organizations like ASEAN and Mercosur. Both sides reaffirmed their support for further strengthening South-South cooperation.

17. The two leaders reiterated the urgent need for reforming global governance to promote stronger and more meaningful engagement of developing countries in decision-making bodies to help them better integrate into today's geopolitical realities. On the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the United Nations in 2025, the two sides voiced support for comprehensive review of the United Nations Charter to equip with necessary tools to deal with growing challenges of the 21st century.

18. In addition, the two leaders also stressed the urgency of reforming the United Nations Security Council, including the expansion of the number of permanent and non-permanent members to increase the presence of developing countries from unrepresented or underrepresented regions such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, so that the Security Council is more representative, legitimate and effective. President Luong Cuong reaffirmed Viet Nam's support for Brazil's aspiration for a permanent seat on the reformed Security Council. President Lula da Silva thanked President Luong Cuong for Viet Nam's continued support.

19. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), that establishes the legal framework for governing all maritime activities at national, regional and international levels. The two siders underscored the importance of settling disputes in international relations through peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Charter and the UNCLOS 1982.

20. The two leaders agreed that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Both sides stressed that addressing the climate crisis requires progress towards sustainable development, strengthening action by all actors in society, and mobilizing all resources of humanity to settle structural inequalities within and between countries, and paving the way for a just transition towards low-carbon, climate-resilient societies. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and agreed on the need for cooperative efforts in pursuing the long-term goals and objectives of the Paris Agreement. Viet Nam highly values Brazil's decision to host the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém.

21. The two leaders welcomed the United Nations Assembly's unanimous adoption of the Convention against Cybercrime. President Lula da Silva highly values Viet Nam's decision to host the Convention signing ceremony in Ha Noi in 2025.

22. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva thanked President Luong Cuong and other senior Vietnamese leaders for their thoughtful and respectful reception, which demonstrated the importance of the Viet Nam-Brazil Strategic Partnership as well as the special affection between leaders and people of the two countries. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva respectfully invited President Luong Cuong and Vietnamese leaders to visit Brazil at a convenient time for both sides. President Luong Cuong and Vietnamese leaders accepted the invitation with pleasure./.

For reference only