Sweden and Brazil – 10 years of cooperation on innovation

One of these forms of cooperation concerns the aviation industry. The other covers bioeconomy, smart cities, sustainable mining and digital health. More than 100 people from both countries gathered in Stockholm in early October to continue developing and deepening this strategic cooperation.  

Sara Modig, State Secretary to Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch, received a Brazilian delegation led by Secretary for Technological Development and Innovation Daniel Almeida Filho. The two led this year’s high-level meeting on aviation cooperation in Stockholm on 8 October. State secretaries Diana Janse and Peter Sandwall, from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence, respectively, also took part.

“A decade ago, cooperation on aviation and innovation was an objective between the two countries. It has since been developed into concrete results in the form of joint projects that strengthen both countries’ innovation ecosystems, industrial competitiveness, defence capability and security. The cooperation enables this by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with the Swedish Defence Research Agency that enable excellence, industrial application and innovative thinking,” says Ms Modig.

The cornerstones of the cooperation are research and development projects in aviation technology and AI. Deeper cooperation on aviation technology within the framework of the High-Level Group has been a natural prerequisite for Brazil’s investment in the Jas 39 Gripen since 2014. 

“Together, we’re creating, operating and further developing a joint aviation system – a form of cooperation that builds on mutual trust and long-term ambition. It therefore makes sense that we’re also advancing technological development in both the civil and military areas. For us, this is not only about developing an advanced fighter aircraft, but building expertise, promoting innovation, creating bridges between our countries and helping keep our societies secure– now and in the future,” says Peter Sandwall, State Secretary to Minister for Defence Pål Jonson.

An exchange programme between the countries for scholarship recipients and visiting professors also promotes knowledge-sharing and helps build long-term relations.

Director General for Global Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Mikael Lindvall and Mr Almeida Filho led the day’s programme after a meeting of the steering group for innovation. This component of innovation cooperation focuses on other themes, such as bioeconomy, smart cities, sustainable mining and digital health. 

“Relations between Sweden and Brazil were strengthened in 2009 when a strategic partnership between the countries was signed. This partnership shapes the framework for deeper cooperation in a number of sectors, such as innovation, technological development and defence. In 2015, deeper cooperation with Brazil on advanced aviation technology linked to the Jas 39 Gripen transaction began,” says Diana Janse, State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (with responsibility for trade and promotion).

The countries have had diplomatic relations since 1826. Next year will mark the 200th anniversary of these relations.