Brazil’s new foreign minister promises to protect environment and promote social inclusion

Criado em 28/08/13 14h52 e atualizado em 29/08/13 08h42
Por Renata Giraldi and Danilo Macedo Edição:s Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – Upon taking office this Wednesday (August 28), Brazil’s new minister of Foreign Relations Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado said that his goal is to intensify the Ministry’s efforts to promote social inclusion and protect the environment. In his short inaugural speech, Figueiredo showed gratitude for the trust placed in him and said he felt honored for being chosen as the new foreign minister next to president Dilma Rousseff.

“I have very honorably accepted the invitation to take this position. It’s a challenging task, since I’m succeeding one of the greatest talents in Brazilian diplomacy, my friend Antonio Patriota. It fills me with pride to be invited to direct an institution that is a benchmark for the Brazilian State,” Figueiredo said during his inauguration ceremony.

According to the minister, the principles that guide his work are those fostered by the government: economic growth alongside social inclusion and environmental protection. He declared that the international respect for Brazil was clearly visible during the months in which he worked as Brazil’s representative in the UN.

“While in the United Nations, I could see the respect and the admiration with which Brazil’s actions are regarded in the international scenario,” he remarked.

A career diplomat, Figueiredo was a chief negotiator at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), that took place in Rio de Janeiro, in June last year. At the time, he stood out for his competence and for earning the president’s trust when he showed his willingness to negotiate patiently with those reluctant to reach an agreement.

An expert in environment and sustainability issues, the new minister’s career is based on negotiations on climate changes, sustainable resource management, peaceful collaboration and a variety of welfare issues.

Editors: Graça Adjuto / Nira Foster
Translators: Fabrício Ferreira