Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday after a visit to China during which the two countries stressed their cooperation in the economic and diplomatic fields.
The Brazilian leader was welcomed at Abu Dhabi airport by the Emirati Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Souhail bin Mohammed al-Mazrouei, the official WAM agency said.
Lula is due to meet the Emirati President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, in the evening.
Returning to power in January after two terms between 2003 and 2010, Lula arrived from Beijing where he made a two-day visit to strengthen economic ties with his main trading partner.
He also took the opportunity to affirm that Brazil was "back" on the international scene, and hopes to play the role of mediator in the war launched by Russia against Ukraine.
Unlike several Western powers, China and Brazil have never imposed financial sanctions on Russia and are both trying to position themselves as mediators.
The UAE has also taken a neutral stance on the conflict, and attracted large numbers of Russian businessmen fleeing the impact of Western sanctions, particularly to Dubai, a major financial hub.
Read alsoBrazilian President Lula landed in Shanghai
The wealthy Gulf country is Brazil's second largest trading partner in the Middle East, according to WAM.
Trade between the two countries, excluding petroleum products, amounted to more than 4 billion dollars in 2022, up 32% compared to the previous year.