Introduction

The relations between Brazil and the African continent have always been marked by interests in particular countries, especially the former Portuguese colonies and South Africa. In addition, oil producers like Nigeria and Algeria were included. There has also always been informal diplomatic cooperation in forums where there were common interests, such as the UN and international financial institutions. However, since the 1980s more systematic initiatives have emerged, such as the Zona de Paz e Cooperação do Atlântico Sul (South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone – ZOPACAS) and the Comunidade de Países de Língua Portuguesa (Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries – CPLP). But it was at the turn of the century that multilateral diplomacy asserted itself between Brazil and Africa, in addition to a more coordinated role in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and in both the commercial and financial G-20s. The first to be highlighted at the regional level (besides the CPLP) is the formation of the IBSA Dialogue Forum (G-3), articulating Brazil, South Africa and India and, in another context, the Mercosur–SACU Agreement (Mercado Común del Sur – Southern Common Market – and Southern African Customs Union). However, the most daring and creative multilateral initiatives were the Cúpula América do Sul-Países Árabes (Summit of South American–Arab Countries – ASPA), which included several North African nations) and the Africa–South America (ASA) Summit, at which a new form of South–South articulation was developed between both Brazil and other countries in South America with the Arab countries and the African continent. Although the changes that have taken place at the global and regional levels since 2010 have hampered their progress, they were bold initiatives.

Multilateral diplomacy on the world stage

The multilateral interaction between Brazil and Africa takes place in various spheres and compositions. The UN, the WTO and the financial G-20 (also known as G-20 major economies) are global forums analysed herein. Other important forums with narrower scope, such as the ASA, the ASPA and the CPLP will also be analysed. Even though multilateral initiatives have not reached their full potential, they are mechanisms that bring groups of nations together to discuss general and specific matters and to promote common goals in global forums.