An Overview of Brazilian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century

The document examines Brazil's shift toward a more ambitious, multi-polar foreign policy under President 'Lula' da Silva, characterized by a desire for UN Security Council reform, strengthened South-South cooperation, and a proactive role as a democratic stabilizer in South America.

• Under President Luiz 'Lula' da Silva, Brazil has pursued a multi-polar foreign policy to expand its influence in global economic negotiations, multilateral institutions, and regional affairs, deepening ties with both industrialised nations and the 'emergent South'.
• Brazil actively seeks a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and collaborates with Germany, Japan, and India in the G4 group to advocate for the reform of the UN's judicial and parliamentary structures.
• In South America, Brazil has transitioned from a policy of non-intervention to acting as a 'peace broker' and stabilising force, promoting democratic governance and institutional stability over security-oriented approaches.
• Brazil's global economic strategy involves liberalising its economy while maintaining industrial development and leading developing nations in trade negotiations, notably through the G20 group of developing nations at the 2003 Cancun Ministerial to address agricultural trade distortions.
• Brazil maintains a complex relationship with the United States, avoiding full alignment with US security policies—such as opposing the invasion of Iraq—while providing discreet support for the war against terrorism.
• Brazil has increased its military presence and defence spending, including a 29.8% increase in its defence budget over the last decade, and assumed military command of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in 2003.

APA

Hirst, M. (2009). An Overview of Brazilian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf

Chicago

Hirst, Monica. An Overview of Brazilian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2009. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hirst |first1=Monica |title=An Overview of Brazilian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=6 November 2009 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hirst2009overview, author = {Hirst, Monica}, title = {{An Overview of Brazilian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2009}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }