Malaysia Champions ASEAN-BRICS Engagement for Regional Cooperation

Malaysia is positioning itself as a key advocate for deeper ties between ASEAN and BRICS, aiming to foster regional and economic cooperation on a global stage. Speaking ahead of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 28 and 29, 2025, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan outlined Malaysia’s ambitious agenda as the ASEAN Chair for 2025. This strategic push comes as the country seeks to navigate an increasingly complex global economic landscape and amplify the voice of the Global South in multilateral forums.

Malaysia’s Dual Role in ASEAN and BRICS

As the chair of ASEAN for 2025, Malaysia is leveraging its newly acquired BRICS partner country status, officially granted on January 1, 2025, to bridge two influential blocs. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat Meeting, held on January 17 at the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Malaysia’s resort island of Langkawi, set the tone for the country’s proactive diplomacy this year. Now, with the BRICS meeting in Brazil, Malaysia is seizing the opportunity to advocate for enhanced collaboration between ASEAN’s 10 member states and the expanding BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several partner countries.

In a statement on April 28, Mohamad emphasized the importance of this engagement. “As ASEAN Chair for 2025, Malaysia will actively advocate for deeper engagement between ASEAN and BRICS aimed at fostering regional cooperation, enhancing economic collaboration” he said. He highlighted that such partnerships are vital for addressing shared challenges and building a more equitable global economy, especially amid growing uncertainties like unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States.

Malaysia’s participation in the BRICS meeting, the first of its kind for foreign ministers from member and partner countries in 2025, underscores its commitment to multilateralism. The gathering serves as a precursor to the BRICS Leaders’ Summit scheduled for July 6 and 7 under Brazil’s chairmanship. Mohamad noted that Brazil’s six priority areas for discussion—global health, trade, investment and finance, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), reform of the peace and security multilateral system, and BRICS institutional development—align closely with Malaysia’s national interests and its focus on sustainable development.

Trade and Investment in a Shifting Global Economy

One of the key areas of focus for Malaysia at the BRICS meeting is trade and investment, which Mohamad described as “apt and timely” given the current global economic volatility. The imposition of unilateral tariffs by major economies like the United States has disrupted international trade flows, disproportionately affecting developing nations. For Malaysia, a trade-dependent economy with deep ties to both ASEAN and global markets, fostering economic collaboration through platforms like BRICS offers a buffer against such uncertainties.

The emphasis on trade also resonates with ASEAN’s broader goals of economic integration. The ASEAN Economic Community, established to create a single market and production base, has made significant strides, but challenges remain in harmonizing policies across diverse member states. By linking ASEAN with BRICS, Malaysia hopes to unlock new opportunities for investment and market access, particularly in sectors like technology, infrastructure, and green energy. This could prove transformative for the region, where economic disparities between countries like Singapore and Laos are stark.

Moreover, Malaysia’s push for economic collaboration comes at a time when BRICS is expanding its influence as an alternative to traditional Western-led financial systems. The bloc’s focus on reforming global financial architectures, including discussions on de-dollarization and alternative payment systems, could provide ASEAN countries with greater flexibility in navigating economic pressures. While Malaysia has not explicitly endorsed such measures, its active participation signals a willingness to explore innovative solutions to longstanding challenges.

Amplifying the Global South’s Voice

Beyond economics, Malaysia is using the BRICS platform to reinforce its commitment to multilateralism and the interests of developing nations. During a dedicated session in Rio de Janeiro titled “The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism,” Mohamad is set to deliver a national intervention outlining Malaysia’s perspectives on pressing global issues. This session reflects the country’s longstanding advocacy for a more inclusive international order, one that prioritizes the needs and voices of the Global South.

Malaysia’s stance is particularly significant given the historical marginalization of developing countries in global decision-making. Issues like climate change, where poorer nations often bear the brunt of impacts despite contributing less to emissions, and global health inequities, starkly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, remain unresolved. By aligning with BRICS, Malaysia aims to amplify these concerns, pushing for reforms in multilateral institutions like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization to better reflect the realities of the 21st century.

Mohamad’s intervention is expected to draw on Malaysia’s own experiences as a middle-income country navigating the complexities of globalization. The nation has balanced rapid industrialization with efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and biodiversity, offering lessons for other developing states. Its strategic location in Southeast Asia, a region often caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical rivalries, further underscores its unique perspective on peace and security reforms—a priority area for BRICS discussions this year.

Technology and Sustainability on the Agenda

The inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change among Brazil’s priority areas for the BRICS meeting also aligns with Malaysia’s domestic and regional priorities. As a nation investing heavily in digital transformation, Malaysia sees AI as both an opportunity and a challenge. The technology promises to boost productivity and innovation but raises ethical questions around data privacy and job displacement—issues that ASEAN as a whole is grappling with. Malaysia’s input at the BRICS meeting could help shape a more coordinated approach to AI governance among developing nations.

On climate change, Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable development is evident in its national policies and regional initiatives. The country has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a target that requires significant investment and international cooperation. Through BRICS, Malaysia hopes to secure support for climate adaptation and mitigation projects, particularly for vulnerable ASEAN neighbors like Cambodia and Laos, where rising sea levels and extreme weather threaten livelihoods.

The intersection of technology and sustainability is another area where Malaysia could play a pivotal role. Green technologies, such as renewable energy and carbon capture systems, are critical to meeting global climate goals. By fostering partnerships between ASEAN and BRICS countries, Malaysia envisions a collaborative framework where technological know-how from nations like China and India can be paired with Southeast Asia’s unique environmental needs.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While Malaysia’s ambitions for ASEAN-BRICS engagement are clear, the path forward is not without obstacles. Bridging two diverse blocs with differing political systems, economic priorities, and cultural contexts requires deft diplomacy. Within ASEAN, consensus-building is often slow, as member states guard their sovereignty on sensitive issues. Similarly, BRICS itself faces internal debates over expansion and the balance of power among its members, which could complicate Malaysia’s advocacy efforts.

Geopolitical tensions also loom large. Southeast Asia remains a theater for competition between major powers, particularly the United States and China. Malaysia’s engagement with BRICS, which includes China as a key player, may draw scrutiny from Western partners wary of Beijing’s growing influence. Balancing these relationships will test Malaysia’s foreign policy acumen, especially as it chairs ASEAN during a pivotal year.

Nevertheless, the potential rewards of deeper ASEAN-BRICS cooperation are substantial. For Malaysia, success in this endeavor could cement its reputation as a regional leader and a voice for the Global South. Economically, it could open new avenues for trade and investment at a time when global uncertainties demand creative solutions. And on the world stage, it offers a chance to reshape multilateralism in a way that better serves developing nations—a goal that resonates deeply with Malaysia’s vision for a fairer future.

As Mohamad engages with counterparts in Rio de Janeiro, the outcomes of these discussions will set the tone for Malaysia’s diplomatic agenda in 2025. With the ASEAN chairmanship and BRICS partnership converging, the country stands at a unique crossroads. How it navigates this moment could have far-reaching implications, not just for Southeast Asia, but for the broader quest for a more inclusive global order.