Mumbai, India—The Philippines and Brazil have committed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in education and technical cooperation.
The two countries signed the Agreement on Educational Cooperation and the Philippines-Brazil Framework Agreement on Technical Cooperation on Friday, Aug. 23, during the visit of Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
This is the first time a Brazilian foreign minister visited Manila since the establishment of diplomatic relations 78 years ago.
The agreements on educational and technical cooperation aim to enhance bilateral exchanges among academic and technical institutions.
The two countries also concluded negotiations for PH-Brazil space cooperation.
“This marks a new era that will strengthen linkages between the Philippine Space Agency and the Brazilian Space Agency,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
The two foreign ministers also discussed a wide range of bilateral issues and regional concerns. They highlighted the importance of multilateralism, international law, and a rules-based international order.
“We are working and coordinating with each other to address shared interests and common concerns in areas such as peace and security, economic development, local governance, climate change, and science and technology,” Manalo added.
Vieira, for his part, said his historic visit is part of Brazil’s efforts to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.
“We are determined to increase dialogue with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states. ASEAN provides an additional platform for engagement in areas such as energy transition, science and technology, innovation, and agriculture,” said Vieira.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the climate crisis, with Manila supporting Brazil’s hosting of the global climate conference COP30 in 2025.
