In 2023, Brazil made payments totaling 4.6 billion BRL to international organizations, successfully resolving its outstanding financial obligations with these institutions. This announcement was made by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Planning and Budget in Brasilia on Thursday (January 4th). The payments covered contributions to the United Nations (UN), multilateral banks, international funds, and various other institutions.
According to the Ministry of Planning and Budget, out of this figure, 2.7 billion BRL represented outstanding balances as of December 31, 2022, while the remaining 1.9 billion BRL were related to commitments from the previous year.
The most recent payment, made on December 21st, included 289 million BRL for regular contributions to the UN and 1.1 billion BRL to settle debts with peacekeeping missions.
Brazil has secured its voting rights in the United Nations General Assembly for 2024 after fully paying off its debt to the United Nations. This is particularly significant as Brazil will also chair the G20 in the same year, a group representing the world’s 20 largest economies. In the second half of 2023, Brazil held the presidency of the UN Security Council.
“This exemplary compliance record is the result of collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other federal government entities. It enhances Brazil’s position globally and regionally, reaffirms our commitment to multilateralism, and strengthens our diplomatic capabilities in support of national interests and the principles that guide Brazilian foreign policy,” stated a joint statement from the ministries.
The statement also outlined the restoration of Brazil’s voting rights in various international organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Latin America
In the Latin American context, Brazil made its contributions to the Structural Convergence Fund of Mercosur (Focem) by disbursing approximately 500 million BRL in April. This allowed Brazil to access 350 million BRL for projects in Brazilian municipalities bordering Mercosur countries, focusing on areas such as urban infrastructure, security, basic sanitation, and health. Additionally, in December, during the 63rd Ordinary Meeting of the Mercosur Council, Brazil made a payment of 14.6 million BRL to the Social Institute of Mercosur (ISM).
Budget
The Ministry of Planning and Budget is in charge of allocating funds to all international organizations that Brazil participates in, as well as paying dues to multilateral banks and replenishing foreign funds.
In order to avoid the accumulation of new debts, the 2024 Budget, approved at the end of December, made it mandatory to spend on international organizations and commitments under foreign treaties, thus prohibiting temporary budget freezes. According to the Ministry of Planning and Budget, this change is considered “a correction of a historical deficiency and provides greater predictability for Brazil’s international activities at a multilateral level.”
(Agência Brasil)
