KF뉴스레터-First Korea-Brazil Forum Opens New Dialogue Channel

First Korea-Brazil Forum Opens New Dialogue Channel

Among the so-called BRICs countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China, which have attracted much attention for their fast-emerging economies, Brazil has been recognized by Korea for its vast potential as a new market for its manufactured products and a source of needed resources. In an effort to facilitate Korea-Brazil exchange, the Korea Foundation has targeted the organization of a bilateral forum with Brazil as one of its priority initiatives. The Foundation has already been conducting bilateral meetings with the other BRICs countries: China, India, and Russia. Moreover, the organization of a Korea-Brazil forum was stipulated in the joint statement related to the two countries' summit meeting held in Seoul in May 2005. Accordingly, the first such forum was held in Brasilia, Brazil on December 13-14, 2005.

The First Korea-Brazil Forum included the participation of 21 representatives from each country's government, parliamentary, business, media, academic, and cultural sectors.

The two sides discussed such topics as the two countries' political and social situation, closer cooperation in the international arena, economic relations (including resource development, science and technology, and environmental protection), and ways to promote cultural and academic exchanges, based on an overall perspective of identifying future-oriented means of strengthening bilateral cooperation. The Korean participants shared information about Korea's economic development model and related experiences that would be helpful for Brazil's social and economic development. They also appealed for Brazil's support for a successful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue through the six-party talks, along with proposing to develop a mechanism to promote exchange in the fields of bioengineering, information, and communication.

In noting that multifaceted cooperation, like the Korea-Chile Free Trade Agreement, might serve as a model for upgrading cooperation between Korea and Brazil, the Korean side suggested that the two countries establish a regular dialogue channel in order to discuss such issues in detail on an ongoing basis. As for the cultural sector, the Korean participants introduced the Hallyu (Korean Wave) trends and Gwanggju Biennale to Brazil, while calling for discussion among the broadcasting media of the two countries as a means of facilitating the introduction of each other's culture.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian side expressed interest in acquiring more detailed information about South Korea's support for North Korea, at both the governmental and non-governmental levels. They also proposed support for a cooperative study on Korea's successful economic development model. To capitalize on the complementarity of Brazil's natural resources and Korea's advanced technology, the Brazilian participants called for stepped-up bilateral cooperation in this regard. They also encouraged Korea to actively participate in Brazil's construction of major infrastructure projects, including railroads, harbors, and roads. Overall, the Brazilian side enthusiastically supported greater bilateral cooperation in fundamental areas such as the economy, trade, and science and technology.

Although only a first step, the inaugural Korea-Brazil Forum has been positively evaluated as a fruitful event in that it served as an occasion to implement what had been agreed upon at the May 2005 summit meeting, in addition to laying a firm foundation for a bilateral dialogue channel. The forum was also considered a success for the agreement reached among participants to organize forum sessions on an annual basis and to work toward a true partnership relationship ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Brazil in 2009.

Though Korea and Brazil are distant from each other geographically, it is said that two are even more distant psychologically and culturally. As such, this forum provided a meaningful opportunity to shorten this distance somewhat through the discussion of matters of mutual concern, which remains the essence of these forum events.

The First Korea-Brazil Forum was held at Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Brasilia, Brazil, on December 13-14, 2005. The Foundation now conducts bilateral forums with all four BRICs countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

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First Korea-Brazil Forum Opens New Dialogue Channel

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First Korea-Brazil Forum Opens New Dialogue Channel

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