Brazil-Lebanon South-South cooperation in key sectors: The way forward in the world of work

This report is the result of an assessment investigating the potential of South-South and Triangular Cooperation between Brazil and Lebanon. Historically, both countries have enjoyed strong bilateral relations, aided by the Lebanese diaspora in Brazil and shared cultural ties.

Agreements and collaborations have mainly focused on agriculture, education, culture, tourism, health, defence, and humanitarian aid. Still, as this report shows, most cooperation efforts have been bilateral, focused on trade or humanitarian aid, sectorial and often discontinued. The report prioritizes sectors and topics for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, aiming to promote equitable, inclusive, decent work opportunities and growth.

Despite the dire economic situation in Lebanon, the current scenario presents an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in a multi-crisis situation and support sustainable recovery. The report summarizes past and current collaborative initiatives among the two countries and recommends expanding the cooperation in the construction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure as well as in the agri-food and tourism sectors as sectors with the potential to grow and generate sustainable and decent jobs in the future.

The reports also point out other sectors such as financial and banking intelligence, technology, renewable energy, as well as urban development and social housing policies areas where Brazil has shown clear comparative advantage in the recent years.