BrazilCham Annual Ceremony 2026 Celebrates 200 Years of Brazil–Sweden Diplomatic Relations

The Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Sweden (BrazilCham Sweden), together with the Brazilian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (ABES), hosted a special ceremony in Stockholm to celebrate two important milestones: 200 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Sweden and ten years of Brazil’s participation in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

Held during World Water Week in Stockholm, the ceremony brought together representatives from the business community, academia, science, environmental organisations and the diplomatic world. The event highlighted the strong and long-standing relationship between Brazil and Sweden, while placing particular emphasis on sustainability, innovation and the importance of empowering the next generation.

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize Brazil has been one of BrazilCham’s most valued initiatives. For a decade, the programme has encouraged young talents to transform education, scientific knowledge and innovation into practical solutions for a more sustainable future.

The anniversary celebration provided an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the past ten years and to honour the young people, partners and institutions that have contributed to the success of the initiative. It also underlined the importance of continued cooperation between Brazil and Sweden in areas such as water, environmental technology, science, innovation and sustainable development.

As Brazil and Sweden celebrate two centuries of diplomatic relations, the ceremony offered a meaningful platform to look back at the achievements of the relationship while also focusing on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Distinguished Opening Speakers

The ceremony featured an opening with prominent representatives from Swedish public life, business and Brazilian institutions:

• Joar Forssell, Member of the Swedish Parliament
• Sara Stenudd, Second Vice Chair of the Stockholm City Council
• Staffan Ingvarsson, CEO of Stockholm Business Region and Representative of the Stockholm Water Foundation
• Fernando Mandolini, Representative of Banco do Brasil
• Priscila Fernandes Pitanguy, Representative of the State Water and Sewage Company of Rio de Janeiro (CEDAE)

The gathering demonstrated how diplomatic relations can be strengthened through concrete cooperation, shared knowledge and initiatives that connect young generations with business, science and society.

For BrazilCham Sweden and ABES, the ten-year journey of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Brazil represents more than an anniversary. It is a testament to the power of international cooperation and to the belief that today’s young innovators can play a decisive role in creating tomorrow’s sustainable solutions.

The ceremony therefore became both a celebration of the past and a commitment to the future — reflecting the enduring friendship and growing cooperation between Brazil and Sweden.