On 8 October the Minister of Health of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Nisia Veronica Trindade Lima, paid a courtesy visit at the Grand Magistry where she was received by the Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis.

They reviewed the existing state of collaboration in Brazil, in several sectors: vocational training, primary education, assistance to the elderly, healthcare. The Order of Malta is also active in combating neglected illnesses like Hansen’s disease, providing early diagnosis and treatment.

The Grand Hospitaller and Minister Trinidade Lima reiterated the mutual commitment to further enhancing their cooperation in the humanitarian field, including the possibility of joint initiatives in support of third countries, especially in lusophone Africa.

In this regard they agreed on the opportunity to start negotiations on a Cooperation Agreement, exchange technical visits, and consider assistance projects’ implementation in fields of common interest, such as food security, fight against poverty, health and social wellbeing, and education.

Minister Trinidade Lima recalled the “Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty”, an initiative announced by President Lula at the UN recently, to be launched at the Rio de Janeiro G20 Summit in a few weeks. The Minister invited the Order of Malta to join the Alliance, taking into consideration its broad experience and know how in this field.

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta entertains diplomatic relations with Brazil since 1952. Three associations of the Order are established in Brazil: São Paulo and Southern Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília and Northern Brazil.