Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shake hands during the signing of agreements at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on August 18, 2025. Photo: CFP

 
By Brasil 247 — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hosted Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azin at the Palácio do Planalto on Monday, in a visit that marked the first by an Ecuadorian head of state to Brazil in nearly 18 years. The meeting symbolized a renewal of ties between the two countries and produced a series of agreements across strategic sectors.

Brazil and Ecuador signed memoranda of understanding covering the fight against hunger and poverty, artificial intelligence, and training professionals in high-performance computing infrastructure. Additional cooperation was established in family farming, sustainable rural development, agroecological transition, food supply chains, organic production, and food waste reduction.

"It is an opportunity to bring two friendly nations closer again," Lula said alongside Noboa.

"Ideological disputes are a thing of the past. We need to seek solutions for people," the Ecuadorian president added.

Energy Transition and the Amazon

Both leaders underscored that their countries' electricity grids are already largely renewable and that they share responsibility for the Amazon biome. Lula pointed to COP30, to be held in Belém next year, as a decisive moment to present global solutions.

"In just a few months, the Amazon will be the epicenter of solutions for the planet," Lula said, while thanking Noboa for supporting the proposed Tropical Forests Forever Fund, a Brazilian-led initiative under the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).

Latin America as a Global Force

Noboa emphasized the importance of regional unity, arguing that Latin America has the conditions to rise as a global power.

"We must see Latin America as one region, with a golden opportunity to become a power — a power of justice and dignity, offering our children and grandchildren a better life. That is what unites us here today," Noboa declared.

Joint Security Efforts

Public security was another key item on the agenda. Lula announced that Brazil will reopen its Federal Police attaché office in Quito and expand cooperation against organized crime.

"We will only be able to stop the criminal networks spreading across South America if we act together," Lula stated.

Trade Relations

The Brazilian president also called for more balanced bilateral trade. In 2024, total trade reached $1.1 billion, with Brazil enjoying an $850 million surplus.

"We are willing to work toward more balanced trade, reducing barriers to Ecuadorian products," Lula affirmed.

Brazilian exports to Ecuador currently include paper and cardboard, passenger cars, wheat, and footwear. Imports from Ecuador are led by lead and metal scrap, fish, confectionery products, and plastics.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on August 18, 2025)