Brazilian President Lula Stresses Africa’s Centrality to the Global South at AU Summit

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – During his keynote address at the 37th Summit of the African Union (AU), Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted the indispensable role of the African continent in the context of the Global South, reinforcing Africa’s significance as a key partner for South-South cooperation.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, who spoke today at the Union’s headquarters, the concept of a Global South is incomplete without the inclusion and active participation of the African continent. Emphasizing the historical and potential ties between Brazil and Africa, he advocated for strengthened cooperation to achieve a more equitable world.

The Brazilian leader pointed out Africa’s vast potential across various domains and expressed his country’s eagerness to solidify cooperation with the continent. He also touched upon the current global geopolitical shifts, mentioning the emergence of multi-polarity as a preferable model for the 21st century. In this context, he cited the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) as a pivotal platform for emerging countries, representing undeniable progress in international relations.

President Lula da Silva concluded by emphasizing the importance of constructing an inclusive social project. Such a project, he argued, is essential for building a society that is prosperous, free, democratic, and sovereign, underlining the crucial contribution of Africa to the aspirations of the Global South.