Opening Remarks, Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Brazil and the ASEAN Secretariat, 8 July 2025

Opening Remarks,

Trilateral Meeting between
Malaysia, Brazil and the ASEAN Secretariat,

8 July 2025

Her Excellency Ambassador Maria Lauda da Rocha,

Secretary General of Foreign Affairs of Brazil,

His Excellency Dato' Astanah Abdul Aziz,

Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN,

Excellencies,

1. On behalf of Malaysia, I extend warm greetings to you and your delegations to Kuala Lumpur for this Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Brazil and the ASEAN Secretariat.

2. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, a founding member of BRICS and a leading voice in the Global South. These strengths bring strategic significance to the ASEAN-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Partnership.

3. I congratulate Her Excellency da Rocha on Brazil's successful hosting of the BRICS Summit. We note that under Brazil's Presidency, the summit championed peace and stability; trade and investment; prosperity; climate change and sustainability. These issues mirror the priorities of Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN.

4. Brazil's commitment to an inclusive, rules-based multilateral trading system also aligns closely with Malaysia's Chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability". Beyond trade, Malaysia believes that ASEAN and Brazil can forge a strong partnership in championing multilateralism, peace, and stability on the global stage.

5. It is clear that ASEAN and Brazil share the same aspirations for peace, stability, prosperity, equality, justice and humanity. Moreover, similar to ASEAN, BRICS advocates, among others, non-interference in domestic affairs, peaceful resolution of conflicts, social inclusion, and sustainable development. Like ASEAN, BRICS also practices consensus-based decision making. This is a reflection of the values of inclusivity, equality and mutual respect that we accord one another.

6. These commonalities provides a firm basis for ASEAN and Brazil to work together to champion diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation in a world where some tend to succumb to divergence and conflicts.

7. Our collective voices can be instrumental in advocating a peaceful and just resolution to conflicts, including the dire situation in Gaza. It is imperative that we call for Israel to be held to account for its persistent violations of numerous international laws. Such impunity must not be allowed to continue unpunished.

Excellencies,

8. A peaceful, stable and predictable environment is necessary for the ASEAN-Brazil Sectoral Partnership to flourish. While our partnership is relatively young, we have seem commendable developments. These include:

8.1. increased engagement between our businesses is growing, with strong potential to further facilitation, particularly through private sector linkages.

8.2. Collaboration to promote sustainable energy in Southeast Asia through a project on biofuels and renewable energy, initiated by Brazil.

8.3. Cooperation through capacity-building initiatives that support ASEAN's efforts in agriculture and food security.

9. Brazil's experience in these areas aligns well with ASEAN's sustainability agenda and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

10. Today's meeting provides us with an excellent opportunity to explore and identify ways to further strengthen our partnership in strategic and mutually beneficial areas.

11. This would include cooperaton in addressing pressing issues of climate change, health security, digital economy which are fundamental for global stability and the prosperity of all nations. Together, ASEAN and Brazil could advance the interest of the Global South.

Excellencies,

12. I look forward to an open and constructive exchange of views, and to identifying concrete ways to advance our collaboration in the years ahead.

Thank you.