The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, leaves for a nine-day visit to Brazil and Argentina today, a spokesman said.
On his arrival in Brasilia, Mr Ahern will meet President Mr Fernando Henrique Cardoso. On Wednesday, he travels to São Paulo, where he will meet governor of the state Mr Geraldo Alckmin and city mayor Mr Marta Suplicy.
Mr Ahern will host a reception for the Irish community and will meet Irish missionaries, as well as pay a visit to the Irish Studies Department of the University of São Paulo and address the local Federation of Industries.
The Taoiseach then travels to Rio de Janeiro where he will speak at a conference hosted by the Brazilian Centre for International Relations.
On Sunday, he is due to leave for Argentina where he will meet President Fernando de la Rua in Buenos Aires.
On July 23rd, he will inaugurate a new embassy chancery, lay a wreath at a monument to the Irish-born founder of the Argentine navy, Admiral William Brown, and address the business federation.
During his visit, Mr Ahern will be kept fully briefed about developments in the Northern Ireland peace process talks. He returns to Dublin on July 25th.
British and Irish officials are starting work on a non-negotiable "final package" to try to break the deadlock in the process.
AFP