ABSTRACT
This chapter portrays Brazil as a country that sees itself as uniquely positioned in world affairs to use multilateral diplomacy - particularly at the United Nations (UN) and in cross-cutting issue areas such as global environmental challenges, food security to help strengthen global governance. It examines Brazil's role in South America, aiming at providing important services to the international community by supplying food, water, and energy to a thirsty and growing population. In other words, in Brazil's view of world affairs, the concept of multilateralism goes beyond the establishment of formal institutions. During the Cold War, South America was clearly within the sphere of influence of the United States, having experienced domestic clashes and coups that did not evolve into interstate conflicts. Brazil's National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) invested heavily in infrastructure, with the purpose of gradually integrating South American economies, while opening a Pacific route for Brazilian exports.
