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FOREIGN Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has called on nations of the Global South to take a leading role in redefining international cooperation, criticising the existing global system as increasingly destabilising and outdated.
Addressing the BRICS Partners Foreign Ministers Meeting 2025 in Brazil on Tuesday, Mohamad said the recent surge in global tariffs, which has unsettled markets and governments alike, should not be viewed solely as a threat.
“The flurry of tariffs which have sent shockwaves through the global community are not a threat, but both a revelation and an opportunity,” he said. “This is an opportunity, to reshape international cooperation in ways that reflect our strengths, and better serve our needs.”
He stressed that the Global South must no longer accept a passive role in shaping the international agenda and instead position itself as an influential force in global governance.
“We must be proactive, forward-looking, and united in shaping a cooperative, just world order. Malaysia stands ready to work with BRICS and all partners who share this vision,” Mohamad said during a session themed “The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism”.
He cited ASEAN as a powerful example of the Global South’s potential, describing it as the world’s fifth-largest economy with a combined GDP of US$3.8 trillion. He noted its strong purchasing power, robust export performance, and diplomatic agility.
“As Chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia is guiding the region towards unity, economic cohesion, and strategic diversification,” he said. “Through our commitment to an open, rules-based, and inclusive regional architecture, ASEAN is focused on strengthening intra-regional trade, developing resilient supply chains, and embracing emerging industries that place sustainability and innovation at their core.”
Mohamad praised the role of BRICS in the shifting global order, calling it “a force for economic resilience, political balance, and social advancement”.
“Together, we have the power to reshape the contours of international cooperation – not just as critics of the outgoing system, but as the architects of a fairer one,” he added.
He also voiced Malaysia’s full support for Brazil’s leadership of BRICS in 2025, noting that its priorities are both “timely and essential”.
On climate issues, the Foreign Minister called for a just and inclusive energy transition led by the Global South. He urged international financial institutions to make climate financing “accessible, affordable, and tailored to the needs of developing nations.”
Mohamad proposed greater cooperation among BRICS and partner countries in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, water resource management, and technologies like carbon capture and low-emission innovation.
He also emphasised the importance of strengthening public health systems and highlighted Malaysia’s hybrid public-private healthcare financing model as a sustainable, inclusive solution.
Turning to digital advancement, Mohamad said there must be significant investment in digital infrastructure, with a focus on boosting digital literacy and enabling cross-border digital trade among Global South nations.
On artificial intelligence, he stressed the need for ethical governance, inclusive participation, and equitable access to data and skills.
“We welcome BRICS to collaborate with us on ethical use, data equity, and skill development – to ensure AI empowers all nations,” he said. - April 30, 2025