South American Presidential Summit 2023: Implications and Forecast

On 30 May 2023, twelve South American leaders met in Brasilia for the first regional summit in nine years (source). The summit sought to discuss issues of cooperation, especially in security, energy and trade. It is also an attempt by Brazilian President Lula da Silva to revitalise previously failed regional integration efforts (source). This is due to the continent’s political instability and polarization. However, Lula perceives an opportunity for integration given the political affinities of the region’s current governments. This summit also aimed to assess support for a revitalisation of the Union of South American Nations or Unasur (source).