Italian president arrives in Brazil for agreements and dialog agenda

The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, arrived in Brazil on Sunday (Jul. 14) for a five-day visit. This marks the first visit by an Italian head of state in 24 years. The visit will highlight the 150th anniversary of Italian immigration to Brazil and foster dialog between two major multilateral forums, with Brazil currently chairing the G20 (group of the 20 largest economies on the planet) and Italy leading the G7 (group of the seven richest democratic countries).

Other topics of interest include the Mercosur-European Union agreement, tackling climate change, the energy transition, the fight against hunger and inequality, and Brazil's proposal to tax the super-rich, a key focus of its G20 presidency. This visit is reciprocal; in June, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva traveled to Italy, where Brazil participated in the G7 meeting as a guest.

Schedule

On Monday (15), Mattarella and Lula will hold a morning working meeting. They will sign joint agreements and address the press. Following this, they will have lunch at the Itamaraty palace, the headquarters of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry.

On Tuesday (16), Mattarella will visit the state of Rio Grande do Sul, one of the primary centers of Italian immigration in Brazil. There, he will convey a message of solidarity to the population affected by the floods. According to the Italian embassy in Brazil, Italy has sent over 25 tons of humanitarian aid items and equipment to Rio Grande do Sul.

Accompanied by Governor Eduardo Leite and President Lula, Mattarella will visit the Recomeço Humanitarian Reception Center in Canoas. There is a possibility that the Italian president will also go to Santa Tereza, in the Rio Taquari valley, one of the municipalities most severely affected by the rains.

On Wednesday (17), the Italian president will be in São Paulo. There, he plans to visit the Immigration Museum and the Arsenal of Hope organization, operated by the Turin Youth Missionary Service, which supports the homeless population. Later on, he will meet with approximately 200 representatives of the Italian community at the Circolo Italiano San Paolo.

On Thursday (18), Mattarella will travel to Rio de Janeiro, where he will deliver a speech at the Brazilian Center for International Relations. On Friday (19), the Italian head of state will conclude his trip in Salvador, Bahia state, with a visit to the Franciscan Community of Betânia.