The Ministry

A trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union has led to a significant increase in Brazilian exports. From May to September, exports of products benefiting from reduced or eliminated import tariffs to the European market rose by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. The Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services released the data, highlighting the competitiveness of Brazilian products in the European market. Various segments of Brazilian industry saw growth in sales, including agricultural products and electrical equipment. Notable increases were recorded in the export of fresh avocados, honey, corn oil, and ferrosilicon-manganese. The electrical equipment sector also saw significant growth, with Brazilian exports of electrical transformers reaching $39 million from May to September. The agreement, which began negotiations in 1999, provides for the gradual reduction or elimination of import tariffs and establishes rules to facilitate trade relations among participating countries.

Cyprus promoted its business environment and fintech prospects at the 'Future of Money, Governance, and the Law 2026' blockchain summit held in Washington and New York from 29 September to 2 October. The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry represented the island through its New York Trade Centre, which ran an information stand to showcase Cyprus as a European hub for digital assets and innovation. Government officials, including Trade Counsellor Aristos Constantinou, joined round‑table discussions at the US Capitol and a UN‑hosted forum on digital‑asset regulation. Participants included Ethereum co‑founder Charles Hoskinson and Bermuda’s Anthony Howell. The event, organised by the Government Blockchain Association, aimed to strengthen Cyprus’s international reach and highlight its growth prospects in the digital economy.

The humanitarian situation in Iran remains dire, with renewed hostilities in southern provinces and flooding in northern provinces causing damage to homes, infrastructure, and farmland. The Ministry of Health reported supply shortages of 32 essential medicines due to procurement challenges and transport disruptions. The Iranian Red Crescent Society provided assistance to 1,027 people affected by the floods. Cash assistance reached 24,175 people in 6,166 households across five provinces. The humanitarian response continued throughout September amid renewed hostilities and flooding.

Haze from wildfires in Indonesia has forced Timor-Leste to shut schools for the remainder of the week. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of State Administration have asked families to avoid leaving children outside 'unnecessarily' and for all children to avoid outdoor physical activity. The haze has been triggered by intense forest and peatland fires in Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan, exacerbated by a powerful El Niño event. Major cities like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have experienced 'very unhealthy' to hazardous air pollution levels.

Indonesia's government has introduced new restrictions on accessing geospatial data, citing concerns over manipulation and unauthorized use. The Ministry of Forestry's interactive mapping platform, SIGAP, now requires users to agree to terms and conditions, including a warning that unauthorized downloads or extractions can result in prosecution under the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions Law. The law carries penalties of up to 9 years in prison and/or a fine. Users must now disclose their research aims and submit supporting documents to access the platform. The move has raised concerns among researchers and activists that it will suppress environmental science and advocacy work in Indonesia, one of the world's most biodiverse countries.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Law No. 15,522 on September 28, creating permanent national guidelines for women’s soccer. The law requires clubs that train youth to field a women’s team and grants them the same rights and benefits as men’s teams. The Ministry of Sports will promote girls’ participation, strengthen youth competitions, and support professional and youth women’s teams. It will also develop protocols to prevent racism, discrimination, and violence against all women involved in soccer, from players to administrators. The legislation amends the Law on Public Limited Soccer Companies, allowing clubs to become SAFs only if they develop women’s soccer. The law ties into Brazil’s hosting of the 2027 Women’s World Cup, calling for a legacy plan for social, athletic, and financial benefits.

A Brazilian task force, jointly run by the Ministries of Justice and Finance, shut down 506 websites suspected of offering unlicensed online betting following a provisional measure that banned such activities. The crackdown also targets 43 Telegram channels with 212,600 members promoting betting, and 1,900 ads on Google and seven on Meta that continued to circulate after the ban. The Ministry’s Cyber Operations Laboratory (Ciberlab) noted that new betting sites—440 in total—emerged after the measure, while 440 additional sites appeared without registration. The government will keep monitoring digital platforms and urges tech firms to remove concealed ads and links, aiming to prevent the ban from being circumvented through new domains or social‑media channels.

On September 25, Brazil’s government issued a provisional measure that prohibits the operation, offering, brokering, and advertising of online betting and gaming platforms. The ban takes effect on October 6, with platforms required to shut down and cease accepting new bets. Bettors may withdraw funds until 11:59 p. m. on October 5; balances not withdrawn will be refunded through banks between October 9 and 14, with Caixa Econômica Federal ready to assist if needed. The Ministry of Justice, Public Security, and Federal Police will receive additional resources to target illegal sites and freeze related bank accounts. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described online gambling as a “cancer” that harms families, citing a 2025 loss of USD 12 billion and significant mental‑health costs.

The New Zealand government announced a one‑off grant of $150,000 to six accredited wildlife care facilities—Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, Wellington Zoo, Auckland Zoo (NZCCM), BirdCare Aotearoa, South Island Wildlife Hospital, and Massey Wildbase Hospital—to strengthen bird flu surveillance and response. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the funding will help facilities enhance biosecurity protocols, acquire new equipment, and increase capacity to care for sick or injured native birds. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will also provide broader support, including equipment and practical information. MPI urges the public to avoid handling sick or dead birds and to report suspected cases via its hotline or online portal.