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Representatives of the U.S. Department of State and Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Relations met in Washington, D.C., December 14th, for the fourth session of the U.S. – Brazil Economic Partnership Dialogue or EPD.
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Agricultural Affairs Robert Hormats and Brazilian Under Secretary-General for Economic and Technological Affairs Pedro Carneiro de Mendonca led their respective delegations. The EPD provides a platform to advance a broad range of economic policy issues, including bilateral issues and U.S.-Brazil economic cooperation in third countries.
The EPD's objective is to review the economic and commercial relationship between the 2countries and identify areas for broader bilateral cooperation. The EPD involves other government agencies as appropriate, with a view to increasing cooperation and understanding, and incorporating a strategic vision that broader economic dialogue can further social inclusion goals as both nations rise to the challenge of globalization.
This year's meeting addressed cooperative and collaborative efforts by the U.S. and Brazil in areas including promotion of competitiveness and innovation; agriculture and biotechnology; trade facilitation; investment; civil aviation; telecommunications; food security; and opportunities for partnership on development with third countries in the Western Hemisphere and Africa.
Both countries reiterated their commitment to continue their joint efforts with Haiti, Mozambique and Sao Tome and Principe. In Mozambique, the U.S. and Brazil have been working on agriculture and health projects. In Sao Tome and Principe, cooperation has led to multi-year funding for an anti-malaria project.
The U.S. and Brazil discussed cooperation to promote the economic and social development of Haiti, and noted, with satisfaction, the positive results that this kind of cooperation can generate.
The U.S. and Brazil recalled Brazil's signing of the South-South trilateral cooperation agreement with the International Labor Organization, aimed at the eradication of child labor. Brazil and the U.S. committed $4 million and $7 million respectively to this initiative.
The U.S. is committed to working with its partner Brazil in meeting the economic challenges facing both countries, the Western hemisphere, and the world.
