4th ASEAN-Brazil Cooperation Meeting Reinforces Strategic Partnership in Jakarta

Jakarta Hosts Key Cooperation Dialogue

The 4th ASEAN-Brazil Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (AB-JSCC) Meeting was successfully held on December 3, 2025, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The gathering served to reaffirm the commitment of both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Brazil to strengthening their strategic partnership and advancing practical cooperation across various sectors.

The meeting reviewed the progress made in implementing the ASEAN-Brazil Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2024-2028, a comprehensive roadmap designed to foster mutually beneficial collaboration.

Leadership and Key Participants

The 4th AB-JSCC Meeting was co-chaired by San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and Henrique Archanjo Ferraro, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to ASEAN. Attendees included members and representatives from the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, alongside their respective delegations.

Brazil was granted the status of a Sectoral Dialogue Partner by ASEAN in 2022, marking a significant step in their relationship. Furthermore, Brazil established its dedicated Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta in March 2024, with Ambassador Ferraro presenting his Letter of Credence as the first dedicated Ambassador of Brazil to ASEAN in the same month, underscoring Brazil's commitment to the region.

Broadening the Scope of Cooperation

Discussions at the meeting highlighted ongoing initiatives and identified new opportunities for deeper cooperation. The existing PCA 2024-2028 covers crucial areas such as:

• Science, Technology, and Innovation
• Education
• Energy
• Public Health
• Food Security
• Climate Change
• People-to-People Exchanges

Looking ahead, officials exchanged views on expanding collaboration into additional vital sectors, including:

• Combating Transnational Crime
• Maritime Cooperation
• Trade and Investment
• Artificial Intelligence
• Creative Economy
• Green Transition
• Digital Transformation
• Supply Chain Resilience
• Connectivity
• Disaster Management

ASEAN encouraged Brazil to support key regional initiatives, including ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), the newly adopted ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan, and the Initiative of ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan V (2026-2030).

Brazil's Contributions and Future Outlook

Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with ASEAN and its Member States. The Brazilian delegation also provided an update on its efforts in advancing sustainable development, including the outcomes of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 30), which was held in Belém in November 2025. During COP 30, an ASEAN Pavilion was featured, and the Transitional Fossil Fuel Finance Facility (TFFF) was launched.

The robust relationship between ASEAN and Brazil is further underscored by significant trade figures, with ASEAN currently standing as Brazil's fourth-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade has seen substantial growth, increasing from USD 2.3 billion in 2000 to USD 37.2 billion in 2024. This continued engagement through platforms like the AB-JSCC Meeting highlights a shared vision for a prosperous and cooperative future between the two regions.