Lula and Fernández sign joint declaration that mentions "creating a South American circulating currency"

247 - During a trip to Argentina, President Lula (PT) signed a joint declaration with Argentine President Alberto Fernández on Monday (23), in which both commit to initiating technical studies, including other South American countries, "to deepen financial integration and mitigate the temporary shortage of foreign currency, including mechanisms managed by central banks. They also shared the intention to create, in the long term, a South American currency, with a view to boosting trade and regional productive integration and increasing resilience to international shocks."

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On January 23, 2023, the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, paid an official visit to the Republic of Argentina at the cordial invitation of the President of the Republic of Argentina, Alberto Ángel Fernández.

Meeting in Buenos Aires, the two Presidents reaffirmed the strategic alliance between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Argentine Republic, reviewed the broad scope of the bilateral relationship, and assessed the implementation status of existing commitments. In this context, they reiterated their intention to deepen and intensify bilateral dialogue in all areas of the relationship and on issues of regional and global importance. To promote and strengthen the positive and historic bilateral relations between the two countries, they agreed to sign the following Joint Presidential Declaration.

1. The Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening democracy and the need to implement development models based on productive and scientific-technological capacities, sustainability, value creation, and the generation of inclusive, quality, and rights-based employment, as conditions for improving the lives of the populations of both countries.
2. They reaffirmed their conviction that democracy, pluralism, and respect for human rights and individual freedoms are factors of progress, prosperity, and social peace. They emphasized the irreplaceable role that judicial institutions hold in their constitutional systems as guarantors of people's rights against persecution for political reasons and the lawfareThey emphasized that republican systems of government require judicial institutions to maintain their independence and impartiality in the face of economic, political, and media interests.
3. They expressed concern about the criminal effects of disinformation, political radicalization, and threats to the democratic rule of law. They agreed on the need to expand bilateral cooperation and coordination to advance the fight against disinformation and illegal content on the Internet.
4. They pledged to support the promotion and protection of human rights and reiterated their governments' willingness to uphold the principles of universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of human rights, including both civil and political rights and economic, social, and cultural rights.
5. They ratified the strategic nature of the bilateral relationship, considered by both countries as a matter of state policy with an impact on the economic and social development process of the region. They expressed their willingness to relaunch and deepen bilateral dialogue in all areas in order to resume the path of convergence in bilateral, regional and multilateral relations.
6. They ratified the priority that MERCOSUR has in the foreign policy of both countries and recognized the need to enhance their domestic agenda to deepen political and economic integration and strengthen regional value chains, with the active participation of all members of the bloc and the productive sector, to generate dignified living conditions through increased production and quality employment in the region, as well as to contribute to the sustainable development of our countries. With these objectives, the presidents instructed their ministers to work on articulating a common strategy that enhances the regional market. The deepening of productive integration, the dynamism and fluidity of trade, and the development of scientific and technological capacities will allow the countries of the bloc to take advantage of the reconfiguration of global value chains with new production and distribution criteria, compatible with a process of sustainable development.
7. On the bilateral level, they highlighted their interest in deepening agreements to enhance the bilateral relationship and, to that end, agreed to move forward in drafting an "Action Plan for the Relaunch of the Brazil-Argentina Strategic Alliance" with specific objectives to promote integration on strategic issues for the bilateral relationship in political, economic, social, scientific and technological, educational and cultural matters, among others. The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil invited the President of the Argentine Republic to make a State visit to Brazil in June 2023, the month in which the 200th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Argentina is celebrated, so that they may approve the aforementioned Action Plan. President Alberto Fernández accepted the invitation.
8. They called upon the respective Ministries to hold bilateral meetings in order to consolidate their contributions to the drafting of the "Action Plan for the Relaunch of the Brazil-Argentina Strategic Alliance". Similarly, they urged the agencies in charge of other existing cooperation mechanisms to facilitate meetings as quickly as possible.
9. They decided to reinstate integration mechanisms at the Presidential level: "High-Level Mechanism for Bilateral Cooperation and Coordination between the Argentine Republic and the Federative Republic of Brazil," Foreign Ministers: "Brazil-Argentina Political Coordination Mechanism at the level of the Foreign Ministries," and Vice-Chancellors.
10. They highlighted the importance of bilateral trade and the reciprocal flow of investments as drivers of development in both countries. They particularly emphasized the quality of trade, characterized by a large proportion of high value-added products.
11. They reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying bilateral trade and investment flows, factors that will play a key role in the recovery and revitalization of both countries' economies. In this regard, they agreed on the importance of promoting bilateral exchanges and reducing, and where possible eliminating, unnecessary barriers to trade.
12. They determined the reactivation of the Bilateral Commission on Production and Trade, coordinated by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Economy of the Argentine Republic, with the objective of defining lines of action to promote greater access to their respective markets and overcome obstacles to bilateral trade, reiterating the need to work towards increasing regulatory convergence and trade facilitation.
13. They expressed their satisfaction with the business meeting held during the visit, in which the public and private sectors emphasized the common objectives of strengthening democracy, pursuing sustainable development, improving the business environment in both countries, and deepening integration within Mercosur and South America.
14. They agreed on the need to attract investments that can competitively integrate our economies into new global value chains, as well as generate income and create quality jobs. In this sense, they emphasized the importance of promoting public-private partnerships.
15. They also highlighted the role that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) can play in promoting this new phase of regional integration, through investments in infrastructure, the care economy, and sustainable development.
16. They expressed their satisfaction with the deepening of the long-standing cooperation between Brazil and Argentina in the aeronautical sector, particularly with regard to the supply of new generation Embraer aircraft to Aerolíneas Argentinas.
17. They decided to work towards eliminating sanitary and phytosanitary barriers in bilateral trade and deepening cooperation and integration between EMBRAPA and INTA, ANVISA and ANMAT.
18. They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Finance of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Economy of the Argentine Republic on Financial Integration.
19. In terms of financial and productive integration, they agreed to move towards deepening the bilateral relationship, with instruments that increase and facilitate trade without hindrance, through the expansion of the use of the local currency system (SML), incorporating trade in services and implementing credit lines in reais to boost bilateral trade and facilitate financial flows in the system, increasing the predictability of transactions.
20. They agreed to initiate technical studies, including with the countries of the region, on mechanisms to deepen financial integration and mitigate temporary foreign exchange shortages, including mechanisms managed by central banks. They also shared the intention to create, in the long term, a South American circulating currency, with a view to boosting trade and regional productive integration and increasing resilience to international shocks.
21. They instructed their working groups to move forward with joint actions through BNDES, BICE, and Banco Nación, with the goal of financing foreign trade and increasing the lending capacity of Latin American development banks through synergies between CAF and FONPLATA.
22. They committed to jointly evaluating, with a sense of priority and urgency, the financing of strategic projects of binational interest, such as the President Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline.
23. They instructed their work teams to encourage the development of projects related to exploration. off shore.
24. They decided to form a Working Group coordinated by high-ranking officials from both countries to further discuss bilateral energy integration, including the natural gas market and the possibilities for joint development of the sector.
25. Regarding the energy transition, they instructed their technical teams to study projects to encourage binational and regional production chains and complexes through financing, convergence on common standards, and commercial tools, with particular emphasis on the biofuels, hydrogen, hydroelectricity, and wind and solar energy sectors, as well as lithium chains.
26. They reaffirmed their interest in developing the binational hydroelectric potential and agreed to reactivate the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), with the objective of resuming technical studies related to binational projects, within the framework of the Treaty for the Exploitation of Shared Water Resources of the Border Sections of the Uruguay River and its tributary, the Peperí-Guaçú River.
27. They agreed to promote a South American energy market and increase the exchange of natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and electricity between the two countries within the framework of the Energy Exchange Memorandum signed on November 16, 2022, thus contributing to strengthening energy security.
28. They agreed to strengthen the MERCOSUR Energy Working Subgroup (SGT-9), seeking to promote synergies with the Southern Energy Integration System (SIESUL) and encourage other initiatives related to gas integration and new technologies, which could support SGT-9 with elements related to the design of short- and long-term energy exchange policies, including tax aspects and support mechanisms in critical operating conditions.
29. They highlighted the importance of the entry into force of the Agreement for the Elimination of International Roaming Charges in MERCOSUR and urged the implementation of the MERCOSUR Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Digital Signatures, which will guarantee the authenticity, confidentiality, integrity and legal validity of electronic documents exchanged between governments, companies and citizens of the countries in the bloc.
30. They decided to consolidate the bilateral digital dialogue mechanism in order to address issues related to connectivity, internet governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cybercrime, recognizing the growing importance of digital development as a fundamental foundation for strengthening connectivity and integration between the two countries and the region.
31. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to the World Summit's vision on the Information Society of building a people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented information society in which everyone can create, access, use, and share information and knowledge, so that people, communities, and nations can fully realize their potential to promote their sustainable development and improve their quality of life, based on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and fully respecting and upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
32. They welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration between the Ministry of Health of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Argentina.
33. They also instructed the health sectors of both countries to jointly address different priority strategic areas, such as promoting adequate, healthy, and sustainable food through labeling systems and nutritional warnings, regulating food and beverage advertising, and other initiatives with the same objective; preventing antimicrobial resistance; mental health; neglected and endemic-epidemic diseases and care pathways; managing health risks and responding to outbreaks through shared health surveillance by developing epidemiological intelligence, focusing on information systems, technological innovation, integration of health systems, and primary health care, among others.
34. They decided to promote the exchange and transfer of technologies of interest to public health between the two countries with the aim of generating a virtuous circle that allows progress towards health self-sufficiency. Thus, they celebrated the designation by PAHO/WHO of Brazil and Argentina as a regional HUB for the production of messenger RNA vaccine against Covid-19 for Latin America and the Caribbean, and instructed their ministers to work on expanding the Brazilian-Argentine Network for Vaccine Research and Development, focusing on the health needs of the region's population and on a specific binational program for the joint development of public and private laboratories focused on strategic medicines, strengthening regulatory convergence.
35. They determined to strengthen specific bilateral mechanisms to address the different forms of transnational organized crime, such as illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and the manufacture and illicit trafficking of small arms, their parts, and ammunition. They reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the World Drug Problem from an evidence-based, comprehensive approach, balanced between the dimensions of security, public health, human rights, and a gender perspective, and within the framework of the principles of common and shared responsibility.
36. They pledged to promote the regional physical infrastructure agenda as an indispensable component for strengthening regional integration, building on the work initiated within MERCOSUR and the COSIPLAN agenda, and called upon the relevant authorities to promote bilateral projects of mutual interest with a view to encouraging productive and logistical integration.
37. They emphasized the importance of defining the future management and maintenance regime for the São Borja - Santo Tomé Bridge and its Unified Border and Related Infrastructure Center before the end of the current concession in August 2023, given the importance of the bridge and its integrated control area for the commercial exchange between the two countries, maintaining the high standard that the center's administration currently has, with expedited times that make it an efficient option for cargo transport. They agreed to jointly coordinate all actions necessary to advance the construction of the Porto Xavier-San Javier Bridge. They also determined that the respective governments will take the necessary measures for the revitalization and regular maintenance of the Uruguaiana-Paso de los Libres bridge.
38. They expressed their willingness to continue working on the comprehensive development of the Plata Basin and on the institutional strengthening of regional organizations within the framework of the Plata Basin Treaty, such as the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee of the Plata Basin Countries (CIC-Prata) and the bodies of the Santa Cruz de la Sierra Agreement on River Transport via the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway (Port of Cáceres - Port of Nueva Palmira).
39. Furthermore, they highlighted the cooperation and joint efforts to mitigate the effects of water crises.
40. They renewed their interest in continuing to promote physical integration and connectivity between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including within the framework of the Bi-Oceanic Road Corridor project, with the aim of boosting trade, investment, business activity and regional tourism.
41. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the integration of peoples and facilitating the movement of nationals from both countries and, to that end, instructed the competent bodies to evaluate and adopt concrete measures to improve coordination at border points and in Integrated Control Areas, within the framework of the Brazil-Argentina Border Cooperation and Development Commission (CODEFRO).
42. They welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for the Brazil-Argentina defense integration project.
43. They expressed their willingness to deepen cooperation in defense matters, particularly in the defense industry sector, the aeronautical sector, and training exchanges between their Armed Forces, and decided to revitalize dialogue mechanisms, especially the Permanent Consultation and Coordination Mechanism on Defense and International Security (2+2) with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Ministries.
44. They expressed their interest in continuing negotiations regarding the GUARANI 6x6 Armored Personnel Carriers, and in collaboration on other weapons systems.
45. They agreed to continue the planning and execution cycles of the Binational Exercise "Operation Arandu", in a rotation system between the two countries, with a view to exchanging professional experiences within the framework of the Combined Military Doctrine in conventional operations and strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation between the armed forces.
46. They agreed to promote a Bilateral Ocean Dialogue to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and coordination in multilateral forums, as well as to promote the exchange of best practices and the strengthening of their capacities in terms of conservation and sustainable use of resources and marine scientific research.
47. They considered the process of reactivating and revitalizing the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS) to be fundamental, as well as the need to preserve it from extra-regional political tensions, as a platform to promote cooperation projects, especially considering the geopolitical and strategic importance of the South Atlantic. In this sense, they highlighted the opportunity provided by the VIII Ministerial Meeting of ZOPACAS, scheduled for April of this year in Mindelo, Cape Verde.
48. They recognized the importance of strengthening the Antarctic Treaty System with the aim of consolidating Antarctica as an area dedicated to peace and science. In this regard, they welcomed the deepening of the bilateral Antarctic dialogue and congratulated themselves on the signing of the Antarctic Cooperation Agreement with a view to developing new scientific projects of common interest and strengthening bilateral scientific and logistical cooperation in Antarctica.
49. They agreed to reinvigorate bilateral cooperation and joint projects in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology, which constitute an inalienable common heritage of the strategic alliance between Brazil and Argentina and a permanent objective of the foreign policy of both countries. In this regard, they highlighted the importance of the experience of the bilateral partnership in the construction of the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor (RMB) and the Argentine Multipurpose Reactor (RA-10). They emphasized the central role of the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC) in building mutual and international trust, which, through a unique scheme of cross-inspections combined with safeguards under the Quadripartite Agreement, demonstrates to the world the unwavering peaceful vocation that animates the respective nuclear programs of both countries. They also highlighted the importance of Argentina's and Brazil's successive terms as presidents of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 periods, respectively, which reflect the contributions of both countries to nuclear non-proliferation.
50. They committed to reactivating the Brazilian-Argentine Joint Working Group on Space Cooperation (GTC) in order to once again have a specific mechanism for addressing space issues, both bilaterally and for coordinating positions in multilateral forums, and to advance the execution of the SABIA-Mar satellite project, which foresees the launch of two satellites (one Brazilian and one Argentine) for conducting oceanographic and coastal studies.
51. They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Argentine Republic on Scientific Cooperation in Ocean Sciences, as well as the Brazilian-Argentine Binational Program in Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Argentine Republic – 2023-2024.
52. They ratified their support for the development of scientific and technological projects within the framework of the Latin American Biotechnology Center (CABBIO) and the Brazilian-Argentine Nanotechnology Center (CABN), and agreed to promote a common agenda of new projects in the field of science and technology, urging the ministries of science and foreign ministries to promote this agenda. In this regard, they urged support for strategic sectors such as space, with emphasis on observatories, telescopes, meteorological satellites and regional cooperation mechanisms; the information and communication technology sector, focused on building a joint binational strategy in artificial intelligence, data science and Industry 4.0; and the quantum science and technology sector through the promotion of a binational program with applications in different industries. The ocean and marine research sector, through the promotion of a joint scientific and technological strategy that allows for the articulation of the "Science at Sea" program in Brazil and the "Pampa Azul" program in Argentina; and the technology-based business sector (startups), with the aim of deepening the integration of the countries' innovation ecosystems.
53. They decided to advance effective collaborations to promote technological innovation applied to strategic productive sectors such as agribusiness, health, the space sector with an emphasis on satellite development, the nuclear sector, applied biotechnology and nanotechnology, and energy transition, based on the principle that knowledge constitutes the most relevant source of wealth to promote inclusive development, with opportunities for quality employment and favoring social mobility.
54. They agreed to promote a new bilateral technical cooperation program, which will define the next projects to be implemented in areas of mutual interest, such as: digitalization, health, environment, climate change, resilience building and risk and disaster management, border issues, human rights and gender, conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, and tourism. This program will also include triangular cooperation projects, especially in the area of ​​food and nutritional security, to be implemented in the region.
55. They agreed to deepen efforts in humanitarian cooperation to strengthen the response to emergencies and disasters of hydrometeorological origin – for example, floods – as part of the mandate of the International Advisory Group on Search and Rescue Operations of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNECHA). Furthermore, they noted with satisfaction the numerous donations of vaccines and other humanitarian supplies made by both countries in response to emergency situations, agreeing on the importance of their continuation to the extent of needs and possibilities.
56. They also promoted a commitment to boost educational cooperation, recognizing its synergies with cultural cooperation, both bilaterally and regionally, and agreed to hold a meeting between both Foreign Ministries in the first half of 2023 to establish a bilateral action program in educational matters, in consultation with the respective ministries of education and other institutions involved.
57. They expressed their commitment to promoting cultural exchange and reaffirmed the fundamental role of culture as an element of economic development, strengthening identity, and building citizenship. In this regard, they determined that the national cultural authorities of both countries should resume the exchange of experiences in public policies and strengthen the main bodies of Mercosur Cultural.
58. They agreed to reinstate the Bilateral Consultations technical meetings on human rights with a view to resuming the historic joint work of our countries in this area, with particular emphasis on equality policies for women and LGBTI+ people.
59. They agreed to continue working to advance cooperation and dialogue on consular and migration issues, both bilaterally and through the Consular Cooperation Mechanism between MERCOSUR Member States and Associated States. In this regard, they encouraged a bilateral meeting between the consular authorities of their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, to exchange information and experiences on assisting their nationals abroad and on migration issues, in the first half of 2023.
60. They emphasized the importance of the social dimension of MERCOSUR as a broad and profound integration project that has a concrete impact on people's lives. In this sense, they highlighted that constant dialogue with civil society and social movements strengthens integration.
61. They emphasized their commitment to the continuous improvement of Mercosur, the bloc's regulatory process, and the quality of harmonized standards as instruments to intensify participation in international trade, attract investment, and deepen regional integration, improving predictability and legal certainty; increasing social participation and transparency; and enhancing industrial competitiveness with modern and sustainable contours in its regulatory framework.
62. They agreed on the importance of pursuing the accession process of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to MERCOSUR, in light of the Protocol of Accession of Bolivia to MERCOSUR and CMC Decision 20/19, which determines that the participation of a new member will be based on the principle of reciprocity of rights and obligations between the States Parties.
63. They reiterated their commitment to the Ushuaia Protocol and their willingness to work constructively towards the future return of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the MERCOSUR framework.
64. Regarding MERCOSUR's external relations, they agreed on the importance of the bloc as a platform for the regional and global integration of member countries and reiterated the need to respect the bloc's trade policy and the agreements reached in the Treaty of Asunción and the Protocol of Ouro Preto, conducting negotiations jointly to improve the bloc's productive and scientific-technological capacities and expand the possibilities for increased trade and job creation.
65. They ratified their commitment to working on outstanding issues in the MERCOSUR negotiations with the European Union (EU) with a view to ensuring a balance in the negotiations that takes into account the significant asymmetries between the blocs, and thus promoting the economic and social development of all countries involved. They expressed concern about recent unilateral European protectionist measures, based on alleged environmental concerns, which could affect the balance of the agreement. They also pointed to the need to continue a fruitful dialogue and effective economic cooperation instruments to prevent ongoing EU initiatives, particularly within the framework of the Green Deal and new commitments on environmental sustainability, from negatively affecting the balances necessary to increase the economic and social well-being of both blocs. They also agreed on the desirability of continuing negotiations on other trade agreements on the MERCOSUR external agenda that are close to completion and signature.
66. In the context of shortening value chains, they renewed their commitment to consolidating the bloc's integration with South American countries and extending MERCOSUR's relationship to Central American and Caribbean countries. The Presidents also agreed on the importance of deepening MERCOSUR's external relations within the framework of consolidating South-South trade.
67. They pledged to initiate a dialogue process at the presidential level with the countries of the region aimed at relaunching UNASUR and instructed their foreign ministers to carry it out at their level, adopting the necessary actions.
68. They expressed their intention to resume dialogue between South America and African countries by promoting a fourth edition of the South America-Africa Summit.
69. They expressed their willingness to promote the necessary discussions for holding a new Summit of South American and Arab Countries (ASPA) as soon as possible.
70. They celebrated Brazil's reintegration into the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and its participation in the VII Summit of Heads of State and Government, as an example of Brazil's commitment to unity and joint work in the region.
71. They reaffirmed their strategic alliance as members of the same negotiating group within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations and highlighted the importance of intensifying efforts to combat climate change in line with the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities. They celebrated the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP-15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in December 2022. They renewed their commitment to implementing policies for the conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in any form, including digital sequencing information (DSI), and stressed that the three pillars of the Convention must be implemented in a balanced and integrated manner. They emphasized the need to promote the full implementation of the obligations of developed countries to provide adequate means of implementation to developing countries under the Convention, including through the creation of the Global Biodiversity Fund. They also emphasized the importance of eradicating poverty in communities dependent on biodiversity.
72. They highlighted their support for the candidacy of the city of Belém (State of Pará/Brazil) to host COP 30 in 2025, and emphasized their willingness to work collectively to ensure that said COP is ambitious, inclusive and successful, a COP that strengthens the multilateral climate change regime and promotes convergence towards the objectives established by the Convention and its Paris Agreement, paying attention to the common but differentiated responsibilities of each party, a COP that fosters the spirit of solidarity among nations and reaffirms the imperative of sustainable development as a right of developing peoples.
73. They defended multilateralism as a founding political principle of any regional and global order and pledged to work together to ensure its validity and to guarantee that the needs, challenges, and possibilities of both countries are taken into account in global forums.
74. They stressed the importance of respecting the preeminence of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights, and adherence to all the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, emphasizing the international obligation to respect the sovereignty of States and their territorial integrity. In this regard, they affirmed that negotiation and diplomacy are the best solutions to conflicts and always preferable for ensuring international peace and security.
75. They agreed to promote comprehensive and integral cooperation within the G20 during the current Indian Presidency in 2023. Argentina expressed its full support for the upcoming Brazilian G20 Presidency in 2024, seen as a great opportunity to strengthen the priorities of developing countries, specifically those in Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil and Argentina share the view that the G20 is the main forum for dialogue and structural cooperation on economic, financial, and development issues. They will work to ensure that the Group contributes increasingly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
76. They emphasized their willingness to strengthen joint work within the World Trade Organization (WTO) on issues of mutual interest, such as trade and the environment, global food security, fisheries, intellectual property, health, and facilitating financial investments. In turn, they agreed that WTO reform is essential to strengthen all its functions and confidence in the multilateral trading system, and committed to initiating constructive discussions to present proposals at the 13th Ministerial Conference.
77. They reiterated their commitment to the rule of law in Peru and lamented the clashes that have resulted in deaths and property damage in that country. They called on all Peruvians to resume dialogue and build consensus. They also expressed their concern about the situation of former President Pedro Castillo, particularly his prolonged pre-trial detention.
78. They reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the multidimensional crisis facing Haiti, convinced that the solution to this crisis must be led by Haitians, taking into account their own objectives and needs. They agreed that the deteriorating security situation is the greatest concern in the short term, deserving priority attention. They consider that broad and inclusive dialogue between different sectors of the political spectrum is essential to overcome political challenges. They reiterated the need for presidential and legislative elections to be held as soon as possible.
79. They expressed their deep concern over the escalation of violence in Palestine and renewed their call for a just, peaceful and definitive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They reaffirmed their support for the right of the Palestinian people to establish a free and independent state within the borders existing in 1967, as well as the right of the State of Israel to live in peace with its neighbors within secure and internationally recognized borders. In this context, they called for full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.
80. They expressed their concern about the aggression against Ukraine and its serious humanitarian consequences and its impact on peace in Europe. They noted that the conflict is having negative effects on global energy and food security, exacerbated by the application of unilateral sanctions, which impose additional difficulties on economies worldwide. They reiterated their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full respect for the Charter of the United Nations, urging all parties to engage in diplomatic efforts leading to a peaceful negotiated understanding.
81. The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil renewed his country's support for the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic in the sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and surrounding maritime spaces. President Fernández thanked Brazil for its continued support of the Argentine position on the Falkland Islands Question, reflected in Brazil's traditional stance on the events of 1833 and in the numerous declarations adopted in regional and multilateral forums where it has been addressed. They affirmed that the military presence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and surrounding maritime spaces is contrary to the region's policy of adhering to the search for a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute and reiterated their rejection of such a presence, as well as the conduct of military exercises that violate the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, especially Resolution 31/49.
82. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva thanked President Alberto Fernández, on his own behalf and on behalf of his delegation, for the Argentine hospitality during his first international trip since taking office on January 1, 2023.

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