BRICS meeting: Malaysia calls on Global South to shape new world order

New Straits Times

29-04-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called on the Global South countries to take the opportunity to shape a new world order that is fairer and more balanced amid growing instability and fragility in the current global system.
The Global South refers to developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania that are striving for a more balanced voice in the international system.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said recent changes in the global economic landscape, including the United States' tariff issues, should not be seen as a threat to multilateralism.
He said, just like other nations, Malaysia is also affected and many observers view the situation as the 21st century's greatest threat to multilateralism.
"While the concerns are well-founded, the situation we are facing now is not a threat. On the contrary, it is a revelation and an opportunity. It reveals the fact that the modern era global order is now on the verge of its end.
"The stability and security of the world economy that hegemony has promised is now increasingly eroding. Therefore, we need to pioneer a new path forward," he said in his speech at the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today.
He said the situation opens up space for developing countries to strengthen international cooperation based on their strengths.
Therefore, he rejected the notion that developing countries are not valuable partners simply because their economic strength is smaller than that of developed countries.
"It is a grave mistake to state, as a television host recently put it, that Global South countries are not valuable partners simply because we are 'poor'.
"It should now be clear to any educated observer that the Global South as a collective is increasingly becoming a major actor in the changing global order," he said.
Mohamad said Asean has proven the potential of the Global South when it is now the world's fifth-largest economic power with a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3.8 trillion and a population of 677 million people.
"Asean has huge purchasing power, an excellent record in world exports, and practices open-minded diplomacy.
"As the Asean chairman this year, Malaysia is leading the region with an approach based on economic integration and strategic diversification," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad also stressed the importance of the Global South countries seizing the opportunity to shape a new world order that is more just, inclusive and balanced.
He said that BRICS, as an international forum representing a large portion of the world's population, needs to drive economic, political and social cooperation based on the principles of justice and shared development.
"BRICS is not just a forum, but a force for economic resilience, political balance and social progress. Through collective efforts, we can offer a vision of a new, more just world," he said.
Commenting further, Mohamad said Malaysia supports the priorities outlined by the BRICS Chair Brazil this year, which include efforts to address climate change, strengthen global health, expand the digital economy and develop responsible governance of artificial intelligence (AI).
He said the Global South needs to lead the call for a just energy transition, ensuring climate finance is accessible, affordable and tailored to the needs of developing countries.
"Malaysia looks forward to the COP-30 Conference in Belém, with the hope that bold steps that balance environmental responsibilities with economic opportunities can be realised," he said.
In the global health area, Mohamad stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic has proven the importance of true cooperation between all countries.
"The pandemic has taught us that no country is safe until all countries are safe. The global crisis exposed how fragile we are without true cooperation. Deep inequalities still exist, driven by economic and political gaps," he said.
In this regard, he added, Malaysia is ready to work with BRICS to strengthen the health system through a hybrid public-private financing model that emphasises affordability and sustainability.
On the digital economy, he said, efforts to accelerate the development of digital infrastructure and increase digital literacy across the Global South countries need to be intensified to bridge the digital divide and harness the potential of cross-border digital trade.
In his speech, Mohamad also touched on AI, with Malaysia calling for responsible and inclusive AI governance.
"AI should be a bridge to bridge the gap, not widen it (the gap) by prioritising ethical use, data fairness and access to skills.
"We can ensure that AI becomes a catalyst for opportunity and innovation, which empowers all countries to thrive. Malaysia welcomes closer cooperation among BRICS to bridge the AI gap," he said.