Brazil’s South–South Co-operation Strategies: From Foreign Policy to Public Policy

This research paper by Carlos Milani analyzes the evolution of Brazilian foreign policy, specifically its South–South co-operation (SSC) strategies. It argues for a shift in conceptualizing foreign policy as a 'public policy' rather than a static state policy, reflecting a plurality of domestic actors and interests. The document details Brazil's engagement with Africa and other developing nations through technical co-operation, trade, and political coalitions like BRICS and IBSA, while noting the strategic role of both state agencies and private corporations in these efforts.

• The author argues that Brazilian foreign policy should be conceptualized as a 'public policy' rather than a 'perennial state policy'. This shift recognizes that foreign policy is produced by the state and government in dialogue with a plurality of actors, including domestic ministries, federal agencies, subnational entities, and non-state actors such as NGOs and business companies.
• Brazil's South–South co-operation (SSC) is characterized as 'demand-driven', based on the assumption that there is high legitimacy and acceptance of Brazilian practices in Latin America and Africa due to historical affinities and similar development contexts.
• Brazil's SSC strategies encompass political, economic, and technical dimensions. Politically, it uses coalitions like IBSA and BRICS to gain bargaining power globally. Economically, it has shifted trade focus toward the South; between 1998 and 2008, the share of trade with Northern countries fell from 57.4% to 46.9%, while trade with Southern countries (Latin America, Africa, and Asia) rose from 42.4% to 53.1%.
• The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) manages technical co-operation, focusing on human resource training and institutional strengthening. As of 2010, the ABC coordinated over 300 projects in 36 African countries. The 2011 budget for technical co-operation with Africa exceeded BRL 10.65 million (approximately $30 million), representing about 55% of the ABC's total committed resources.
• Brazilian private companies have significant investments in Africa, particularly in construction and natural resources. In 2010, Brazilian companies held construction portfolios exceeding $6 billion in Libya. Major firms include Odebrecht, Camargo Corrêa, Andrade Gutierrez, Queiroz Galvão, Vale, and Petrobras, with Vale investing over $4.5 billion in coal mining in Mozambique and $2.5 billion for iron deposits in Guinea.
• Under President Lula da Silva, Brazil significantly intensified its engagement with Africa, visiting 29 countries and reopening embassies. This trend continued under President Dilma Rousseff, though the author notes a change in 'style and intensity' and a lack of continuity following the replacement of Foreign Minister Celso Amorim.

APA

Milani, C. (2014). Brazil’s South–South Co-operation Strategies: From Foreign Policy to Public Policy. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Occasional-Paper-179.pdf

Chicago

Milani, Carlos. Brazil’s South–South Co-operation Strategies: From Foreign Policy to Public Policy. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Occasional-Paper-179.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Milani |first1=Carlos |title=Brazil’s South–South Co-operation Strategies: From Foreign Policy to Public Policy |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=March 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Occasional-Paper-179.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{milani2014brazils, author = {Milani, Carlos}, title = {{Brazil’s South–South Co-operation Strategies: From Foreign Policy to Public Policy}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Occasional-Paper-179.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }