This article seeks to examine the positions that Brazil defended during the Lula administration (2003-2010) on nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. My central argument points to the way in which Brazil consolidated aspirations present at an earlier date and how it attempted to position itself as an interlocutor mediating states that had and did not have nuclear arms. The idea was to reinforce the country's position in conflict resolution, in terms of greater participation in international forums and, in particular, increasing its activities in developing rules and norms to limit the unilateral action of major powers and maintain flexibility in articulating the interests of emerging nations. Brazil sought to pressure states that had nuclear arms to comply with their disarmament obligations, while seeking to preserve its own autonomy in developing peaceful nuclear uses. In the first section of the article, I examine the development of the Brazilian nuclear program and the State's position in relation to international regimes in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. In the following sections, I look at the position of the Lula administration regarding non-proliferation and at peaceful uses of nuclear energy and, lastly, at nuclear disarmament. Among my conclusions I give particular attention to the fact that, at the same time that Brazil enabled dialogue with Northern powers and guaranteed regional stability and security, the country also acted as a catalyst of states' demands within institutions, as they sought to widen opportunities to make themselves heard.
Brazil; Non-Proliferation; Disarmament; Nuclear Weapons; Nuclear Energy