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forums in which we participate. We embrace this openness with each of our partners – in our region and beyond it.South America is our immediate neighbourhood, and, as such, we work for a prosperous and democratic South America. We are working towards the growing convergence of integration processes in Latin America and the Caribbean. A significant example is the approximation between Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance. Together, the countries of these two groups comprise a market of almost 470 million people and account for over 90 per cent of Latin America’s GDP.Africa, for its part, is a continent to which we have strong historical and cultural ties. It is a continent where we want more and more cooperation initiatives, more and more partnerships for development.With Europe, with which we cultivate old friendships, we are working to increase trade and investment flows.And also in Asia Pacific – the most dynamic hub of the global economy – we have intensified our relationships with traditional partners and open new fronts for exchanges.So is our foreign policy: truly universalist. And the most universal of the fora we rely on is the United Nations General Assembly.Here we benefit from the most plural set of perspectives. Here we find the parameters and standards for respectful coexistence. Here we will become more united nations – in the name of the development of our peoples, of the dignity of our citizens, of the security of our planet. ■This is an edited version of President Michel Temer’s remarks at the Opening Session of the General Debate of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 19 September in New York, USA. Visit: www.brazilgovnews.gov.br for more information.Pictured above: Michel TemerPictured: Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the Brazilian EconomyTHE G20 MEMBER COUNTRIES 027