(MENAFN- Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA)) São Paulo – Ambassador Qais Shqair, head of the League of Arab States Mission in Brazil, is concluding his duties after seven years in the position-he took office on November 15, 2018. In an interview with ANBA, as he bids farewell and reflects on the initiatives carried out during this time to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Arab countries and Brazil, the diplomat says he has observed this relationship consistently flourishing in the economic, cultural, academic, and social spheres.

The ambassador cites Brazil's foreign policy as one of the factors that have made this possible.“Brazil's foreign policy, recognized by its unwavering commitment to international law, adherence to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and an exemplary legacy of regional and global engagement, has greatly enabled the endeavors of Arab diplomacy in fostering robust cooperation between Brazil and the Arab world. This achievement is further reinforced by the shared commitment to principled dialogue, multilateralism, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts,” he said.

Diplomats and officials attended Qais Shqair's farewell

Shqair leaves his post with optimism about the relationship's prospects.“Looking ahead, the prospects for Arab-Brazilian relations are highly promising. This growing momentum is vividly illustrated by an increasing trend of high-level bilateral visits,” he says, citing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's visit to Arab countries in early 2024, which culminated in a historic address at the Arab League Council on February 15.“It represents a pivotal milestone in these relations,” he adds. According to him, equally significant was the Arab League's participation-for the first time-in the G20 Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in November 2023 and led by the Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

“The overarching ambition now is to forge a strategic framework that transcends geographical distance, elevating conventional trade exchanges into comprehensive, multifaceted partnerships,” he says about the future. Shqair advocates the creation of industrial zones in Mediterranean ports with both Arab and Latin American investment.“These zones are envisioned as pivotal logistical and investment hubs, seamlessly connecting the Arab region with Latin America through joint investments and cross-border ventures, thereby fostering a robust and dynamic economic alliance.”

In the written interview given to ANBA, Ambassador Qais Shqair said he took office at a particularly sensitive and unprecedented time since the establishment of the Arab League Mission in Rio de Janeiro in 1958.“The transitional period with the League of Arab States, demanded a revitalized commitment to engagement and outreach with Brazilian institutions, the diplomatic community, the media, and the dynamic Arab diaspora dispersed across the nation,” the ambassador said.

Mohamad Orra Mourad (R) represented the Arab Chamber at the diplomat's farewell

Regarding his time leading the Arab League Mission in Brazil, he recalls several activities, such as the Mission's hosting of regular and extraordinary sessions of the Council of Arab Ambassadors accredited in Brazil, as well as participation in the Economic Forum Brazil-Arab Countries, organized by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC ), and in the Global Halal Brazil Business Forum, held by the ABCC in partnership with FAMBRAS Halal Certifier in 2021, 2023, and again in October of this year.

“Direct engagement with Brazilian society proved to be one of the most effective means of communication,” he said, citing the publication of several articles in influential media outlets and ongoing dialogue with civil society institutions. With the media and Arab ambassadors, the Mission organized open symposiums and working breakfasts.“These gatherings provided an esteemed platform for unreserved and insightful dialogue, catalyzing opportunities to further strengthen the deepening ties between the Arab world and Brazil.,” Shqair said. The diplomat also highlighted the contribution of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil to promoting the enhancement of relations between the Arab countries and Brazil.

In April of this year, the League of Arab States celebrated its 80^th anniversary. On that occasion, the Mission in Brazil held a reception to mark the date, which included a photo exhibition retracing the early moments of the Arab League's presence in Brazil and Latin America, dating back to the 1950s. According to the ambassador, the League of Arab States is the oldest regional and international organization in the world.

Shqair sees the cultural dimension of the Arab-Brazilian partnership as another pillar of the relationship.“This relationship traces its origins to the 19^th century visit of Emperor Dom Pedro II to Egypt, Syria, and Palestine, accompanied by scholars and technicians whose contributions profoundly enriched Brazil's intellectual and cultural environment,” he says. The diplomat recalls that, in the wake of that historic moment, successive generations of Arab immigrants came to Brazil.“They have woven vibrant threads into Brazil's diverse and dynamic social tapestry, shaping its multicultural identity,” he says.

Culture, literature, letters

A man of letters and culture as well, the ambassador believes that this shared heritage calls for deeper cultural and media collaboration, driven by synergistic initiatives from both the public and private sectors of the Arab world and Brazil. Shqair says that during his time in Brazil, he explored the country's literature and was impressed by the cosmopolitan spirit of eminent writers such as Jorge Amado, whose works, he notes, reflect Brazil's openness to world cultures-especially European, and particularly French-while preserving an authentic Brazilian identity.“This identity, a vibrant synthesis forged through the confluence of Indigenous, African and the contributions of immigrants from Europe and Asia continents, encapsulates the essence of Brazil's singular cultural mosaic,” he says.

The diplomat's wife, Shatha Jarrar, is also a figure of letters and culture.“My wife, Dr. Shatha Jarrar, assistant professor of Arabic language, joined me in the task of engaging with Brazilian academy, by volunteering in teaching Arabic at the University of Brasilia (UnB) for three consecutive semesters,” he said. The ambassador noted that he and his family were deeply moved by the warmth, generosity, and camaraderie of the Brazilian people.“As we prepare to bid farewell to this remarkable nation, encompassing its twenty-six states, the tranquil elegance of its capital, Brasília, and its myriad resplendent cities, we carry with us an enduring gratitude for the profound connections forged during our time here.,” he said.

Before serving in Brazil, Shqair was a career diplomat at Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served at his country's embassies in Athens, Ankara, Rome, Muscat, and Cairo. This week, Qais Shqair was honored at a farewell dinner hosted by the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil in Brasília. Among the officials and guests in attendance were Clélio Nivaldo Crippa Filho, director of the Middle East Department at Brazil's Foreign Ministry, and Mohamad Orra Mourad, secretary-general & vice president of international relations at the ABCC.

Read more:
The first mission of the Arab League to Brazil

Translated by Guilherme Miranda

Pablo Valadares/Chamber of DeputiesFabiana CeyhanFabiana Ceyhan

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