Brazil’s President Lula da Silva arrives in UAE

The South American leader is on an official visit to the Emirates

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil (in vehicle), arrives at Qasr Al Watan to meet President Sheikh Mohamed. All photos: Presidential Court

The two presidents at Qasr Al Watan

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court (2nd L), attends the meeting with Mr da Silva (not shown)

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr da Silva witness an exchange ceremony between the State of Bahia and the Refinaria de Mataripe company

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr da Silva exchange words

The two presidents inspect the guard of honour at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi

Standing for the national anthems

Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to his Brazilian counterpart (not shown), concluding the official reception

President Sheikh Mohamed received his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Abu Dhabi after he arrived for an official visit.

The Brazilian President was welcomed by Sheikh Mohamed at Qasr Al Watan where he attended an official reception.

Mr da Silva's convoy was accompanied by a guard of honour consisting of riders on horseback. The official reception ceremony included a performance of the national anthem of Brazil, a 21-gun artillery salute and a flypast by the UAE Air Force aerobatics team 'Al Fursan', trailing smoke in the colours of the Brazilian flag, Wam news agency reported.

"I had the pleasure of welcoming President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the UAE. Brazil has long been a key strategic partner of the UAE," Sheikh Mohamed said in a tweet.

"Our talks explored further opportunities for collaboration focused on sustainability, innovation & economic opportunity."

He was accompanied by his wife First Lady Rosangela Lula da Silva.

Earlier on Saturday, at his arrival at the Presidential Flight in Abu Dhabi, President Lula was received by Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and head of the UAE delegation accompanying the Brazilian President, and a number of other officials, Wam said.

The visit marks Mr da Silva’s second official visit to the UAE. His first was in December 2003 during his first term as the President.

It is his first visit to an Arab country since beginning his third term in office.

The UAE is one of Brazil's largest trading partners in the Middle East. In 2022, bilateral trade rose to $5.7 billion, a 74 per cent increase in comparison to 2021. Agribusiness accounts for almost 60 per cent of Brazilian exports to the UAE.

The UAE will host Cop28 UN climate summit later this year at Expo City Dubai. Brazil has bid to host Cop30 in 2025.

This year's event is expected to be attended by about 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, leaders of global industrial sectors, representatives of the private sector and climate experts.