Brazil has traditionally played a relevant role in the United Nations General Assembly. In 1947, Foreign Minister Oswaldo Aranhachaired the First Special Session of the General Assembly and the Second Session of the General Assembly. Since 1947, Brazil has been the first country to speak at the General Debate.[4] Brazilian representatives deliver opening speeches that often present an assessment of the international situation as a backdrop to express the Brazilian point of view on the main issues.[5] On September 21, 2011, PresidentRousseff became the first woman to open a General Debate since the United Nations was founded.[6]
A founding member of the United Nations, Brazil has a long tradition of contributing to peacekeeping operations. Brazil has participated in 33 United Nations peacekeeping operations and contributed with over 27,000 troops. Currently, Brazil contributes with more than 2,200 troops, military observers and police officers in three continents.[24]
Brazil led the military component of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) from its establishment in 2004,[25] until the dissolution of MINUSTAH in 2017[26] amid ongoing controversy.[26][27][28][29] The mission's Force Commander was Major General Fernando Rodrigues Goulart of the Brazilian Army.[30] Brazil was the biggest troop-contributing country to MINUSTAH, with 2,200 active military personnel.[31]
Brazil also leads the Maritime Task Force (MTF) of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).[32] Since February 2011, the UNIFIL MTF is under the command of Rear Admiral Luiz Henrique Caroli of the Brazilian Navy.[32] The Brazilian Niteroi-class frigate, União, is the flagship of the fleet comprising vessels from three other countries.[32]
Financial contribution
Brazil is one of the largest contributors to the United Nations regular budget, with a net contribution of USD 57 million for the 2022 Assessment.[33]
Representation
New York
Brazil maintains a permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, which is headed by AmbassadorSérgio França Danese[34] The mission is responsible for Brazil's participation in all United Nations events that concern the country in meetings of the General Assembly, Security Council, and other U.N. agencies headquartered in New York.[35]
Geneva
Brazil maintains a permanent mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva, headed by Ambassador Maria Nazareth Farani Azevêdo.[36] The delegation is responsible for representing Brazil at the agencies headquartered in Geneva.[35]
Brazil served in the past as a host for UN's conferences, such as the Conference on Environment and Development, also known as Earth Summit that happened in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.[39] Brazil turned down offer to host 2019's UN Climate Change Conference.[40]
^"Brazil/United Nations: Brazil Withdraws Offer to Host UN Climate Change Conference". Asia News Monitor. Bangkok. 30 November 2018. ProQuest2139191703.