It is a commonplace to say that our globalising world needs international co-operation more than ever before. But actually we also need a shared understanding and a shared vision.

Three weeks ago during the Progressive Governance Summit hosted by Thabo Mbeki, our meeting underlined once again that, to both of us, progressive governance isn’t just about sharing experiences on the domestic front. It is also about a shared approach to international challenges.

We must ensure that the benefits of globalisation are felt by the poor as well as, if not more than the rich. This is a challenge to international economic and political governance that we are determined to take up together.

Both our countries are committed to an ambitious outcome from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks to help lift millions of people out of poverty. Developing countries, especially in Africa, need the opportunity to work themselves out of poverty - they do not want to rely on aid for ever.

We are determined not to allow the WTO talks to fail and share a common view on how to break the current log jam. A failure would not only be a wasted opportunity in the fight against poverty and for global prosperity but also a body blow to our commitment to multilateralism and a more open and rules-based world. We will look at convening a leaders' meeting in the coming months to help move things forward.

We agree as well on the vital importance of the world coming together to tackle the challenge of climate change. Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations framework convention on climate change and its Kyoto protocol. We are determined to do all we can to ensure that the new spirit of consensus and co-operation reached at Gleneagles becomes a foundation for a wider long-term agreement. This is one of the areas of science and technology where we want to encourage a quicker transfer of knowledge and co-operation between our two countries.

Our two nations, of course, are different in terms of geography, climate and of economic development. But the challenge is to enable emerging economies to achieve rising prosperity in a sustainable way. This means sharing experiences and clean technology, providing the investment to allow it to be developed and harnessed across the world. This will not be one-way traffic. Although Brazil has no formal obligation to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, it is already a world leader in the use of bioethanol as fuel. Such alternative sources of energy – which now include biodiesel -- can help slow climate change and reduce poverty. We are already working together on this.