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Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz met with Brazil’s ambassador to Ankara on Wednesday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and coordinate preparations for the upcoming COP31 climate change conference, which Türkiye will host later this year.
During the high-level diplomatic exchange, Yilmaz emphasized the two nations’ shared goal of reaching $10 billion in annual bilateral trade, signaling an ambitious push to deepen economic ties between the emerging economies.
“We had a productive discussion with Brazil’s ambassador today focusing on ways to expand our partnership across multiple sectors,” Yilmaz said following the meeting. “The upcoming COP31 conference presents an important opportunity for our countries to collaborate on addressing global climate challenges.”
The COP31 climate summit, scheduled for November in Istanbul, will bring together representatives from nearly 200 countries to negotiate the next steps in implementing the Paris Agreement and addressing the escalating climate crisis. As host nation, Türkiye is working to coordinate with key international partners ahead of the conference.
Brazil, which hosted the G20 summit last year and has positioned itself as a leading voice for developing nations in climate negotiations, represents an important strategic partner for Türkiye in building consensus around climate action.
The two nations have complementary economic strengths, with Brazil being a major agricultural exporter and possessing vast natural resources, while Türkiye serves as a manufacturing and logistics hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Trade relations between the countries have grown steadily over the past decade, though they remain well below the $10 billion target mentioned by Yilmaz. Current annual trade stands at approximately $4.2 billion, according to recent economic data from the Turkish Ministry of Trade.
“Reaching our trade target will require focused effort on removing barriers to commerce and identifying new areas for collaboration,” a source from Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on condition of anonymity. “Agriculture, energy, defense, and technology sectors all present significant growth opportunities.”
The meeting also touched on regional developments in Latin America and the Middle East, with both sides expressing interest in enhancing diplomatic coordination in international forums beyond climate negotiations.
For Türkiye, strengthening ties with Brazil aligns with its broader foreign policy strategy of diversifying international partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, the country has pursued closer relations with nations across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Brazil, under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has similarly sought to reinvigorate its global diplomatic presence after a period of relative isolation during the previous administration.
Climate cooperation has emerged as a particularly promising area for partnership. Both countries face significant climate vulnerabilities – Türkiye to drought and water scarcity in its agricultural regions, and Brazil to deforestation pressures in the Amazon rainforest, which plays a crucial role in global climate regulation.
“The COP31 summit represents a critical moment for advancing concrete action on climate change,” said Dr. Ahmet Yücel, an international relations expert at Istanbul University. “Türkiye’s role as host gives it an opportunity to bridge divides between developed and developing nations, and cooperation with influential players like Brazil will be essential to achieving meaningful outcomes.”
The meeting between Yilmaz and the Brazilian ambassador highlights the increasing importance of climate diplomacy in international relations, as countries recognize that addressing climate change requires unprecedented global cooperation.
As preparations for COP31 intensify in the coming months, observers expect to see more bilateral and multilateral engagements between Türkiye and key international partners aimed at building momentum for substantial agreements at the conference.
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11 Comments
The mining and commodities sectors will be important for both Türkiye and Brazil as they work to expand their economic ties. I wonder if they’ll explore opportunities to collaborate on extracting and trading key minerals and resources needed for the green energy transition.
It’s noteworthy that the Turkish VP emphasized the shared goal of addressing global climate challenges through COP31. I’m curious to learn more about the specific areas of climate cooperation they plan to prioritize with Brazil.
Yes, that’s a good question. The climate and energy transition will require collaboration across multiple fronts – from renewable energy development to emissions reduction strategies. Türkiye and Brazil likely see scope to align and coordinate their efforts in these critical areas.
Deepening the partnership between Türkiye and Brazil ahead of COP31 could have broader geopolitical implications, especially as major developing economies seek to shape the global climate agenda. It will be interesting to see how this relationship evolves in the run-up to the conference.
That’s a good point. As influential emerging markets, Türkiye and Brazil’s joint positioning at COP31 could carry significant weight and influence the negotiations. Their coordinated approach will be worth watching closely.
The COP31 climate summit will be a critical global event. As host, Türkiye will be keen to demonstrate leadership and drive meaningful outcomes. Partnering with Brazil, another major emerging economy, could help amplify their influence and advocacy at the conference.
Interesting to see Türkiye and Brazil strengthening ties ahead of the critical COP31 climate summit. As major emerging economies, their collaboration will be important for advancing global climate action. Curious to hear more about the specific areas of partnership they plan to focus on.
Agreed, the economic and diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Brazil could be valuable for addressing climate change through COP31. It will be important to see how they leverage their shared interests and resources to drive progress.
Expanding bilateral trade to $10 billion annually is an ambitious goal. I wonder what specific industries and sectors the two countries are targeting to achieve this growth. Mining, energy, and commodities could be areas of mutual interest and opportunity.
Good point. With Türkiye’s strategic location and Brazil’s natural resource wealth, there may be scope to deepen cooperation in mining, metals, and energy as part of their economic expansion plans.
The potential for expanded trade and investment between Türkiye and Brazil is intriguing, particularly in mining, energy, and commodities. These sectors will be crucial for supporting the global energy transition, so their partnership could have important implications for climate action and sustainable development.