A política externa brasileira e a cooperação em saúde no sul geopolítico: tendências e desafios de 1995 a 2023

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the role of Brazilian foreign policy in promoting health cooperation in the geopolitical South between 1995 and 2023, focusing on actions aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and expanding Brazil's regional and global influence. The study also adopts the hypothetical-deductive method, which starts from an initial hypothesis about the impact of Brazilian foreign policy on global health and seeks to test this hypothesis by analyzing documents, cooperation cases, and policies adopted by Brazil between 1995 and 2023. To obtain relevant data, the research uses bibliographic and documentary sources, including books, scientific articles, official documents, government reports, and news items that offer a detailed view of health cooperation initiatives. To this end, the argument is used that Brazil, by using health diplomacy as a soft power strategy, seeks to contribute to the improvement of the health systems of partner countries, promoting structuring cooperation that prioritizes autonomy and sustainability. The research uses a qualitative methodology to corroborate the hypothesis about the role of Brazilian foreign policy in promoting health cooperation in the Geopolitical South. This qualitative method allows for an in-depth analysis of how Brazil developed its health diplomacy, highlighting the relevance of historical, contextual, and political factors that influence its actions on the international scene. The analysis goes on to emphasize that, although Brazil has consolidated itself as a leader in the geopolitical South, international health policies are often impacted by internal limitations, such as economic instability and dependence on public resources. Thus, this study sought to highlight how the COVID-19 pandemic was a critical point in reaffirming the importance of health in international relations and exposing the vulnerabilities of Brazilian diplomacy. As a form of case study, the work resorted to the analysis of Brazilian participation in groups such as BRICS, IBSA, and UNASUR to examine the impact and challenges of these initiatives. In conclusion, the research suggests that, to sustain a solid and effective foreign health policy, Brazil must develop strategies that ensure the continuity and resilience of these policies, regardless of internal political and economic variations.