Malaysia's 2025 Asean Chairmanship theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ represents a direct challenge to systems that marginalise developing nations, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In fact, he said Malaysia’s vision of Asean centrality also demonstrates how regions of the Global South can maintain independence while engaging constructively with global powers.
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In fact, he said Malaysia’s vision of Asean centrality also demonstrates how regions of the Global South can maintain independence while engaging constructively with global powers.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/bp97ebrm
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
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NewsTranscript
00:00The global order born from the Cold War, defined by a single hegemon, is now breaking down
00:15before our eyes. Yet, as the old unipolar world recedes, the shape of things to come
00:23remains uncertain. We stand at the critical juncture where our choices will determine
00:31whether multipolarity leads to a more equitable world or deeper division. We face two possible
00:40futures. One future is a strengthened multilateralism that advances inclusivity, reduces inequality
00:53and enables decisive action on challenges like climate change. The other is a path towards
01:02block formation and increased contestation between powers. One that risks entrenching
01:12the dominance of wealthy nations and reducing multilateralism to a tomb of power blocs.
01:20The choice is clear. We need a more robust and fundamentally different kind of multilateralism.
01:29This requires global rules that prioritise equitable development, a genuine voice for
01:37developing nations and strong measures against crimes against humanity. We need inclusivity,
01:46sustainability and more pronounced justice. Excellencies, friends, the current configuration
01:58of global governance is clearly sub-optimal. It is simply unable to meet today's challenges.
02:09Poverty reduction has stalled. The pandemic pushed 120 million people once again into
02:19extreme poverty. If it is 121 or 122, you blame KRI because I asked them to check the figures.
02:29Now, the first global rise in poverty in 20 years. Today, almost a tenth of humanity lives
02:38in extreme poverty. By 2030, 600 million may face hunger. At current rates, ending
02:47extreme poverty will take decades. These outcomes are not coincidental. They arise from a system
02:56that was not designed to be inclusive. The global south faces challenges shaped by policies
03:04made without its full participation. I was thrilled in the last few weeks meeting President Lula Brazil
03:17and President Namafo South of Africa, the two leaders of two continents that shared
03:25ideas and seemed to be clearly determined to undertake an effective change. Climate impacts,
03:36conflicts, economic instability and cycles of debt have all been worsened by this exclusion.
03:45We stand therefore at a critical juncture for global justice.
03:50Israel's actions against Palestinians, war crimes, collective punishment and genocide are blatant
03:59affront to the norms of international law and fundamental human rights. These acts strike at
04:06the very foundations of the global order we all depend upon. History has shown us the power of
04:14the power of moral solidarity. In the face of apartheid South Africa, the world united to
04:23isolate a regime that had abandoned the principles of humanity, although it took decades and numerous
04:34sufferings. But today Israel's sustained aggression demands a similar response.
04:44Seven decades have passed.
04:48Palestinians leave and targeting of UNRWA have dismantled Gaza's lifeline.
04:56As we confront these challenges, ASEAN stands as an example of how South-South
05:05partnership can advance a more equitable multilateral order. Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN
05:14Chairmanship theme of inclusivity and sustainability represents a direct challenge
05:22to systems that marginalize developing nations. Our vision of ASEAN centrality demonstrates how
05:32regions of the global South can maintain independence while engaging constructively
05:39with global powers. Malaysia's engagement with BRICS is based on our recognition
05:45that as a rising, upper-middle-income nation, we share common economic concerns
05:52with other rising economic powers. Countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China,
05:58South Africa and other members of BRICS represent enormous market opportunities.
06:05Now ladies and gentlemen, as the world becomes more uncertain, Malaysia must choose every regional
06:12and international platform available to address shared concerns directly with key partners.
06:19However, promises of reform will remain mere platitudes if we cannot translate them
06:27into concrete action. When nations perpetrate violence and suffering with impunity, when
06:34millions remain trapped in poverty and when climate disasters devastate vulnerable communities,
06:41these are policy and mobile failures that demand our immediate response. The time for half measures
06:50and incremental changes has passed. The choice before us is clear. Continue with a system
06:58that marginalizes both of humanity or build a new order founded on genuine partnership,
07:09shared prosperity and sustainable development. We must act boldly to create the future
07:20our world so desperately needs.