Brazil and the Ismaili Imamat sign Protocol to support development activities

The Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ismaili Imamat - the office of the Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims – today signed a Protocol of Intentions to support development activities as part of their joint efforts to support the fight against poverty, during the official two-day visit of President of Brazil Lula da Silva to Mozambique.

The agreement of international scope, was signed by the Ambassador of Brazil, Mr. Antonio de Souza e Silva, on behalf of the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil; and the Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Mr. Nazim Ahmad, on behalf of the Ismaili Imamat. The ceremony took place in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr. Celso Amorim.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, diplomats and representatives of the AKDN.

The agreement reaffirms the commitment to jointly contribute to the social and economic upliftment of developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including the member countries of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries. Under the agreement, both parties agree to share knowledge and development experience in order to promote programmes, projects and technical cooperation for benefit of developing countries. Both parties also commit to stimulate a joint action plan with a view to carrying out development initiatives in developing countries of mutual interest, namely in Central and South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

During the signing ceremony of the agreement, the Ambassador of Brazil emphasised the importance of the act “as this Protocol of Intentions is applicable not only for Mozambique, but also for other developing countries where the Aga Khan development Network is active.”

“This is a considerable achievement and will significantly enhance our development capacity in Mozambique and other developing countries” said Nazim Ahmad.

Notes: 

The Ismaili Imamat 

The Ismaili Imamat is a hereditary institution of Muslim leadership, linked to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) by direct lineal descent through Hazrat Ali, his cousin and son in law. The line of Ismaili Imams has continued uninterrupted by hereditary succession from Hazrat Ali through to the present, 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan is the founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of nine non-denominational development agencies working in over 25 countries around the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East, to empower communities and individuals to improve their living conditions and opportunities. The Network’s agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or faith. The AKDN employs approximately 60,000 people, the majority of whom are based in developing countries, and has an annual budget for non-profit development activities of approximately US$ 450 million.

AKDN in Mozambique 

The Diplomatic Agreement of Co-operation between the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) was signed in 1998. For almost a decade, the Aga Khan Foundation has been present in Cabo Delgado province, in 192 villages, benefiting some 125,000 people. Its projects focus on agriculture, education, health, entrepreneurship, civil society, environment, and water and sanitation. Other AKDN agencies and entities are also present in Mozambique and work in a number of sectors such as microfinance under the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance, Professional Development for teachers, tourism under the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, and industrial enterprises such as Moztex garment factory.

For more information, please visit: www.itamaraty.gov.br for information on the Federative Republic of Brazil’s Foreign Office
www.akdn.org for information on the Aga Khan Development Network