U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Brazil on Jan. 1 to attend the inauguration of President-elect Dilma Rousseff.

“Brazil is an essential partner in the hemisphere and the world, and the United States is committed to deepening our relationship on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues with Brazil’s government and people,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

“The United States looks forward to working with President- elect Rousseff and her administration to advance these and other shared goals,” the statement said.

Rousseff is scheduled to take office on Jan. 1, 2011.