Brazil - UAE Relationships

• Diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil were formally established in 1974 and have continued to strengthen across political, economic, commercial, and cultural fields.
• The Embassy of Brazil was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi in 1978, while the United Arab Emirates opened its Embassy in Brasília in 1991, becoming the UAE’s first diplomatic mission in Latin America.
• The establishment of the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in São Paulo reflects the strategic importance of the state as Brazil’s leading financial, logistical, and industrial center, as well as its key role in bilateral trade between the UAE and the South American market.
• Over the past decades, both countries have significantly expanded their cooperation through high-level official visits and partnerships in sectors such as trade, agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, technology, aviation, sustainability, and investment.
• The United Arab Emirates has consolidated its position as one of Brazil’s main trading partners in the Middle East. Bilateral trade includes Brazilian exports of meat, sugar, agricultural products, and minerals, alongside Emirati investments in strategic sectors such as ports, logistics, renewable energy, and aviation.
• Air connectivity between both countries also plays an important role in strengthening bilateral relations, with direct flights operating between Brazil and the United Arab Emirates, contributing to increased tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
• Brazil and the United Arab Emirates also cooperate on strategic global issues, including food security, energy transition, innovation, climate action, and sustainable development.

• Economic cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Brazil has grown steadily over the past decades, consolidating the UAE as one of Brazil’s main trading partners in the Middle East.
• Bilateral trade covers strategic sectors such as agribusiness, energy, logistics, aviation, infrastructure, technology, and investment. Brazil’s main exports to the United Arab Emirates include beef, poultry, sugar, grains, and mineral products, while UAE exports to Brazil include oil, fertilizers, petrochemical products, and services related to logistics and aviation.
• The United Arab Emirates is also among the important international investors in Brazil through sovereign funds and companies operating in strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. Major Emirati groups present in Brazil include Mubadala, DP World, Emirates Airline, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Dubai Chambers.
• The State of São Paulo plays a central role in this economic cooperation, concentrating a significant share of Brazil’s industrial, financial, and logistics activities, in addition to hosting the Port of Santos, the largest port in Latin America.
• The presence of the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in São Paulo, inaugurated in 2013, reflects the strategic importance of the state in strengthening trade, investment, and institutional relations between the United Arab Emirates and Brazil.

The cultural initiatives of the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in São Paulo play a central role in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between both countries, bringing together people, institutions, and ideas.

Zayed Sustainability Prize

The UAE's most significant cultural and humanitarian programme offered to Brazil and to the world is the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Founded in 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the prize recognises innovative solutions in the areas of health, food, energy, water, climate action, and global high schools. Since the first awards ceremony in 2009, more than 400 million people have been directly or indirectly impacted by the sustainability solutions and school projects of the 128 winners. Brazil has distinguished itself in this competition over the years, with four Brazilian public schools reaching the finals. 

Literature and Publications

The Emirate of Sharjah, internationally recognised as one of the great publishing centres of the Arab world and named a UNESCO World Book Capital, was the guest of honour at the 25th São Paulo International Book Biennial in 2018. On that occasion, approximately 40 books by Emirati authors were translated into Portuguese and launched to the Brazilian public.

In 2019, a collection of short stories by renowned Brazilian authors was translated into Arabic and published, deepening the literary exchange between both cultures.

With the support of the Consulate General, Professor Williander Salomon, a specialist in International Law and Human Rights, published the book "Discover the United Arab Emirates", the first work written in Portuguese about the history, leadership, culture, economy, and future vision of the UAE. The publication has since become a reference for researchers, students, and all Brazilians wishing to learn more about the Emirates.

Education and Cultural Outreach

Since its inauguration in 2013, the Consulate General has regularly delivered presentations on UAE culture, society, and history at schools and universities across the State of São Paulo, contributing to broader mutual understanding and closer ties between both peoples.