VERBATIM TRANSCRIPTION

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT

BRICS BUSINESS FORUM 2025

5 JULY 2025

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1. As an appreciation to President Lula da Silva, the Government of Brazil and the National Confederation of Industry for your gracious hospitality.

Ministers, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

2. It is a historic moment for those of you who have been following the antecedents of history, who realize the attempt to save the voice of newly emerging economies and countries post colonialism was by Sukarno of Indonesia, Zhou Enlai of China, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Africa.
3. It was a bold attempt to ensure that the voice of conscience, those struggling for freedom and justice is heard. Not much success. It was a bold attempt. Then we have a Non-aligned Movement, proceeding that. Then we have G77, still not achieving the desired results. Now, I salute you, President Lula, for having the courage to proceed with a clear vision, a clear commitment to voice the concerns, aspirations of the people, particularly of the Global South.
4. But why are we particularly encouraged? Because it is no longer an effort purely of political leadership. Political leaders have a role to initiate this reform, but what is spectacular in BRICS is because of the participation of the business community, the private sector that would complement this effort and make sure that the voice of reason, the voice for justice is heard and implemented together with the political leadership and the business community that we see today, women, youth and the private sector. I salute you all for this attempt.
5. I see this conference more positive. We’re not talking about complaining and lamenting those who believe in unilateral actions of tariffs, of protectionism. Here we have a voice for multilateralism, for collaboration, working with countries in the South, but still engaging with the countries in the North as friends in this new alliance. But we want to make sure that we speak from the position of strength, not ex-weak, ex-colonial countries, but as independent countries with certain position. And now you see from aeroplane to technology to AI to food technology, you have this new strength emerging, from emerging economies, and I think you can make a difference. And I believe that this BRICS attempt, it will be of some significant success that would alter and cause a change in the course of history of mankind. Thank you very much for this attempt.
6. I come from Malaysia and in ASEAN we deliberate these issues. One, we must be cohesive, we must speak as one based on multilateral arrangements. We must try and promote the principle of centrality, befriending everyone, supporting a just cause. But it’s no longer explain rhetoric and political platitudes statements in through concrete action. That’s why when the pillars in ASEAN is the business community. We must increase intra ASEAN trade. Now we must increase intra BRICS trade. We have enormous potential to increase because only with that strength can we safely, fairly, justly negotiate with all other partners multilaterally.
7. We must demand a change. Democratic, just international and multilateral organization from the United Nations to WTO to IMF in the World Bank. I again support the position taken by President Lula, one of the courageous leaders that we find today to voice on behalf of those who have been left unheard. So, thank you my friend.
8. We have attempted in ASEAN other than enhancing into Russian trade is even using financial settlement systems. We use our local currency. Of course, we’re not talking about de-dollarization because there’s a long way to go, but at least we try Malaysia with Indonesia, Malaysia with Thailand and together with China, trying to use our own local currency, even beginning with 10 or 20%, it makes a difference because we cannot continue complaining but not executing our own plan among in our countries and our friendly neighbors.
9. And I believe, therefore, that what the President said and what the Chairman of the Confederation said about making sure that these items have been considered seriously by the private sector will make a difference. But I come back to the major and central issue, BRICS today of 2025 is not the first attempt. The Bandung Conference of 1955, at that time we were struggling, No industry, no new technology, no competence except for a United Nation, the country and political leadership. Now we have political leadership with that vision and we have strong business community. I believe this collaboration with women and the young, government and the private sector and civil society, we will make a difference.
10. I thank you again, Mr. President. See you in Kuala Lumpur in October. Thank you.