On November 30th 2025, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Austria hosted an event entitled "200 Years of Brazil-Austria Diplomatic Relations - New Challenges and Opportunities" which was organized in partnership with the initiative "Austria-Brazil Bilateral Forum in Movement" by ABRASA - Casa do Brasil na Austria, fostering education, cultural activities and social integration as a bridge between Brazilian and Austrian cultures.
After a welcome message by Mr. Peter Haider, president of UPF Austria, H.E. Eduardo Paes Saboia, Ambassador of Brazil to Austria gave an opening message on 200 years of Brazil–Austria diplomatic relations followed by a statement by H.E. Dr. Stefan Scholz, who served as the Austrian ambassador to Brazil until a few months ago.
The Brazilian flutist James Strauss, spoke about Sigismund von Neukomm and his musical diplomacy before playing a piece of his music. He stressed that art and culture are central pillars in integration and dialogue between Brazil and Austria.
Mr. Luis Roberto Malheiros, vice President of the ABRASA Institute introduced “ABRASA 20+ Years: Living Culture as a Vehicle for Integrating Bilateral Relations”. Then Dr. Uwe Christian Plachetka, an Austrian historian and anthropologist spoke on the topic “Not just friendly nations, but sister nations! – Brazil as a protagonist in Austria’s liberation in 1955” discussing how culture, historical memory, and the shared capital of a long relationship between Brazil and Austria sustain long-lasting alliances, strengthens trust, mutual recognition, and cooperation.
Ms. Maria Umbelino, CEO of Brasil Mata Viva elaborated on “Environmental preservation through sustainable practices, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and SDGs” reflecting on Brazil as a biodiversity powerhouse and strategic actor within Mercosur. Bahia is a key territory for a just ecological transformation anchored in sustainability, innovation, and practices aligned with ESG and SDGs as solutions for climate preservation.
The cutting of the birthday cake for 20+ years of ABRASA and a buffet with a taste of traditional Brazilian food concluded the evening.
Photo report by Society magazine
Video report: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12013473?fl=so&fe=fs