During their stay in Brazil and Uruguay, the parliamentary delegation focused on the issues of trade and sustainable development. Brazil is home to almost two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest and is a key player in the fight against climate change. Brazil is also Switzerland's most important trading partner in Latin America. In 2022, Swiss companies exported goods worth CHF 2.4 billion to Brazil. In addition, more than 500 Swiss companies are based in the country. Switzerland has close historical ties with Uruguay because of the many Swiss who emigrated there in the 19th century. Both Brazil and Uruguay are members of the Mercosur South American trade bloc, with which Switzerland concluded a free trade agreement in 2019 within the framework of EFTA.
The delegation's visit began on 21 May with a field visit to Belém in northern Brazil. The capital of the state of Pará is expected to host the 2025 Climate Change Conference and is considered the gateway to the Amazon. The Swiss parliamentarians visited various bioeconomic projects on Combu Island, visited the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi research institution and museum, and discussed issues on research, protection and sustainable use of the Amazon. On Monday, 22 May, the delegation also exchanged views with representatives of indigenous peoples and was received by the Governor of the State of Pará, Helder Barbalho.
The delegation then travelled on to Brasilia, where official meetings were held with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira, and the President of the Federal Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, on Tuesday, 23 May. The delegation was also received by the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, Maria Laura da Rocha, and the Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment, João Paulo Capobianco.
On Wednesday, 24 May, the delegation met with representatives of Swiss companies in São Paulo and visited projects in the field of vocational training and support for disadvantaged families.
To round off the working visit, the delegation travelled to Uruguay on 25 May. Uruguay is also a member of Mercosur and is committed to a swift conclusion of free trade negotiations with EFTA. In Montevideo, the delegation was received by Beatriz Argimón, Vice President of Uruguay and President of the Senate, and by Sebastian Andujar, Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives, and exchanged views with the members of the newly founded Switzerland–Uruguay Parliamentary Friendship Group. A working meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Deputy Foreign Minister Nicolás Albertoni and with representatives of various Swiss companies as well as a company visit concluded the short stay in Montevideo.
The Swiss delegation was composed of the following Council members:
- Martin Candinas (The Centre, GR), National Council president
- Eric Nussbaumer (SP, BL), First vice president of the National Council
- Maja Riniker (FDP, AG), Second vice president of the National Council
- Thomas Aeschi (SVP, ZG), National Council member, president of the SVP Group
- Philipp Matthias Bregy (The Centre, VS), National Council member, president of the Centre Group
- Aline Trede (Green Party, BE), National Council member, president of the Green Party Group
- Roland Fischer (GLP, LU), National Council member
President of the National Council Martin Candinas during a field visit to Combu Island in Belém.
Group picture with the President of the Brazilian Federal Senate: Thomas Aeschi, Aline Trede, Maja Riniker, Eric Nussbaumer, Ambassador Pietro Lazzeri, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco, his Head of Cabinet, Philipp Matthias Bregy and Roland Fischer (f.l.t.r.)
National Council President Martin Candinas in talks with the President of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira.
The Swiss delegation with children from the ARCO social project in São Paulo.
Group picture with representatives of the Parliament of Uruguay.
President of the National Council Martin Candinas with Beatriz Argimón, Vice President of Uruguay and President of the Senate, and Sebastian Andujar, Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives.
President of the National Council Martin Candinas with the State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nicolás Albertoni.
Company visit to Nestlé in Montevideo