Malaysia, Brazil to work towards ‘reinvigorated’ multilateral system

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Malaysia and Brazil have pledged to work together for “a reinvigorated multilateral system” rooted in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Brazil’s president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also said they are keen to jointly explore initiatives during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship next year, which coincides with Brazil’s BRICS presidency and its role as the host of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The statement was issued after a bilateral meeting between the two leaders during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro yesterday, reported Bernama.

In the statement, both leaders recognised the need for comprehensive reforms in global governance to make it more effective, transparent and accountable, while taking into account the aspirations of emerging and developing countries to play a greater role in international affairs.

Acknowledging the emergence of new centres of power and economic growth, Anwar and da Silva highlighted the potential for these developments to foster a more equitable and balanced multipolar world order.

“We are both very neutral on trade and development, and we take a very independent view of international issues and conflicts,” Anwar said after a roundtable meeting with representatives from the semiconductor industry and captains of industries.

“We are not dictated by any superpower, and that makes our stances quite similar in terms of our foreign policy interaction.

“And to me, what is especially significant is that both of us want to focus on the economy, developments and new technologies,” he said in the report by Bernama.

Huge promise for E&E, semiconductor industry

Anwar also urged the electrical and electronics and semiconductor industries of Malaysia and Brazil to leverage each other’s strengths and enhance collaboration, particularly given the increasing prominence of the Global South.

Speaking at the roundtable meeting, he underscored the importance of this partnership for driving innovation and progress.

“Although we are from distant lands, the potential is immense. Brazil is a key pillar of the Latin American economy while Malaysia is rapidly establishing itself as a semiconductor hub and an attractive destination for data centres and artificial intelligence,” Anwar said.

“So, collaboration with Brazil, to me, is very critical… as it will enable countries in the South to harness their expertise, knowledge, and research to excel in areas where they can make a significant impact.”

Malaysia is currently the sixth largest semiconductor exporter globally with exports exceeding US$85 billion. Meanwhile, Brazil’s semiconductor export value stands at US$1 billion.

Anwar arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday for his first official visit to Brazil on da Silva’s invitation after participating in the Apec Economic Leaders’ Week in Lima, Peru.

Malaysia was among 17 guest nations invited to the G20 Summit in Brazil, alongside countries like Chile, Qatar, Egypt, and Singapore. - FMT