In a speech at the African Union summit, the president said the “racist and xenophobic far right” would not solve global problems
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) said the socalled Global South is an “inevitable” part of resolving new global crises. Speaking this Saturday (February 17, 2024) at the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, the head of the executive branch spoke of “creating a new world order” that is “fairer”.
“We must create a new global governance capable of meeting the challenges of our time,” he said. Lula emphasized the ties that bind Brazil to the African continent, saying it was necessary to “pursue our own path” in the “emerging international order.” “Multipolarity is an unrelenting and welcome part of the 21st century,” he said.
“The Global South is becoming an inevitable part of the solution to the greatest crises plaguing the planet. Crises that arise from a model of wealth concentration and affect above all the poorest, including immigrants,” Lula said.
“The alternative to the evils of neoliberal globalization will not come from the racist and xenophobic far right. “Development cannot continue to be the privilege of a few,” he added.
Watch (2 min 59 sec):
Lula explained that the consolidation of the Brics states “as the main space for the articulation of emerging economies” is an “indisputable progress” of the new multipolar order. According to him, emerging economies are crucial for “opening a new cycle of global expansion” that combines growth, reducing inequalities and protecting the environment.
Brics was founded in June 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa then joined in 2010. Other countries are in the process of joining and have joined the bloc: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran.
The term “Global South,” often used by Lula and other government members, refers to countries located primarily in the southern hemisphere that face similar economic and social development challenges despite heterogeneous cultural contexts. Read more about the meaning of the expression in this report from Power360.
CRITICIZE UN AND WAR IN GAZA
Lula's trip is another attempt by Brazil to lead discussions about fighting hunger and bringing peace to the world. In his speech, the President addressed the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He referred to Israel's “disproportionate response” in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack on October 7.
Before his speech, the PT member met with the Prime Minister of Palestine Mohammad Shtayyeh on the sidelines of the summit.
Lula explained that “being a humanist” means “condemning the attacks carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilians” and calling for the release of the hostages. But also in “rejecting Israel’s disproportionate response, which killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza the vast majority of whom were women and children and led to the forced relocation of more than 80% of the enclave’s population.”
According to him, the solution to the crisis will be “permanent” only if the world “moves rapidly” toward the creation of a free, sovereign Palestinian state recognized as a full member of the United Nations. The president again said that the UN Security Council should be “more representative” and criticized that some countries had veto power.
“Two years ago, the war in Ukraine revealed the paralysis of the Security Council. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the consequences are being felt worldwide in the prices of food and fertilizer,” he said. “There will be no military solution to this conflict. The time for politics and diplomacy has come,” he said.
Watch Lula's full speech (17 min 45 sec):
African debt relief
Since his term began in 2023, Lula has called for a range of measures from rich countries, such as canceling African countries' debts and admitting the continent to the UN Security Council and the G20 a group that brings together countries with the world's largest economies.
In his speech on Saturday (February 17), Lula said: “The presence of the African Union as a full member of the G20 will be of great value.” However, it is necessary to admit other countries on the continent as full members. We have common goals that need to be defended.”
And he added: “It is necessary to look for solutions to transform unfair and unaffordable debts into concrete assets such as highways, railways, hydroelectric power plants, wind and solar energy parks, green hydrogen production and energy transmission networks.”
According to Lula, “resuming Brazil’s rapprochement with Africa means restoring historical ties and contributing to the construction of a new, more just and solidaritybased world order.”
AFRICAN UNION
The Ethiopiabased company was founded in 2002 with the aim of strengthening peace, sovereignty and socioeconomic development on the African continent. With 55 members, it is considered the most comprehensive African international organization.
The organization has had a partnership relationship with Brazil since 2009, when a technical cooperation agreement signed in 2007, during Lula's second term, came into force. The agreement enables Brazilian operations in African countries with which Brazil does not yet have bilateral agreements.
During Lula's trip, the government plans to sign a memorandum establishing a partnership to preserve the memory of slavery and the transatlantic trade of enslaved Africans to the Americas. The new agreement aims to strengthen measures to combat human rights violations.
