FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds political consultations with Brazil
Bern, 01.12.2025 — On 1 December 2025 FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received the Brazilian Secretary General of Foreign Affairs Maria Laura da Rocha in Bern for political consultations. Both delegations took the opportunity to discuss key topics – from sustainability, the economy and multilateralism to regional security policy issues. Brazil is Switzerland's biggest trading partner in Latin America.
During the 12th round of political consultations between Switzerland and Brazil, the delegations recognised the broad basis of their countries' relations. These are characterised by regular thematic dialogues – including political consultations, economic dialogue, human rights dialogue and scientific dialogue. Bilateral relations are also reflected in the high frequency of contacts at the top level: between 2023 and 2025, 17 meetings took place at Federal Council level, including two presidential meetings and five between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
Mr Fasel and Ms Da Rocha welcomed the further strengthening of bilateral economic relations in 2025. Brazil is Switzerland's biggest trading partner in Latin America. The trade volume between the two countries totalled around USD 5.9 billion in 2024, which corresponds to around 25% of Switzerland's trade with the region. With a increase of 35% compared to 2023, Brazil has become the leading destination for Swiss direct investment in Latin America. That made Switzerland the third-largest investor in Brazil in 2024.
The signing of the AELE-Mercosur free trade agreement in September 2025 after ten years of negotiations represents a historic milestone in relations with Brazil. With 270 million consumers, Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay) holds considerable growth potential for the Swiss export industry.
The talks also focused on the intensification of cooperation in the area of sustainability since 2023. At the climate conference in Belém (COP30),Switzerland renewed its contribution to the Amazon Fund, to which it is now contributing CHF 10 million.
Multilateral and global topics were also at the centre of the exchange. Switzerland and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to a strong multilateral system and discussed the future of important organisations such as the UN and the WTO as well as the central role of International Geneva.
Finally, the delegations exchanged views on regional developments. Mr Fasel presented the priorities for the Swiss chairpersonship of the OSCE in 2026. The delegations also discussed the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine and Switzerland and Brazil's respective contributions to a lasting peace based on international law, as well as security policy challenges in Latin America.