Brazil’s President Lula to Make Official Visit to Colombia

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, will fly to Colombia on Tuesday, April 16, by invitation of President Gustavo Petro. On Wednesday the two presidents will hold a bilateral meeting with an agenda focusing on trade, investments, sustainability and development.

Lula will also meet with members of the Brazil-Colombia business forum and will attend the inauguration of the 36th Bogotá International Book Fair, where Brazil is this year’s guest of honor. President Lula will kick off his agenda by signing bilateral acts, giving a press statement, and attending an official lunch. 

President Lula’s agenda in Colombia

ApexBrasil and trade agency promotion ProColombia are promoting the business forum that President Lula will also attend. This event will bring together nearly 300 Brazilian and Colombian business people.

Next on Lula’s agenda will be the inauguration of the international book fair. The key event, set to span two weeks, anticipates the arrival of nearly 600,000 visitors. With Brazil as this year’s guest of honor, a substantial delegation of Brazilian writers and artists is expected to attend the event.

Brazilian minister João Marcelo Galvão de Queiroz, director of the South America Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “These two countries have an important contingent of people of African descent and indigenous peoples.” He added that “their governments prioritize the strengthening of these sectors in society. At the same time, they are two governments that share very similar visions regarding the Amazonian reality. It is also key for a more broad South American integration.”

Minister Querioz also added that “President Lula’s visit signifies a further step in the ongoing process of building closer ties with Colombia. This process was initiated with President Petro’s attendance at the inauguration ceremony here (Brazil) on January 1st, followed by his participation in the South American presidents’ meeting. President Lula also contributed to this process through his involvement in the technical-scientific meeting before the Belém Summit in Leticia, Colombia.”