Kuala lumpur: Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva is set to make an official visit to Malaysia from October 25 to 27, attending the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits as the Guest of the Chair. This visit marks his first official trip to Malaysia since assuming office for a new term in January 2023. President Lula da Silva will be accompanied by First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, several Cabinet ministers, and senior officials.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the visit will begin with an official welcome for Lula da Silva at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya on October 25. This will be followed by a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana. During this meeting, both leaders are expected to review the progress of Malaysia-Brazil relations and explore potential areas for enhanced cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, semiconductors, science and technology, renewable energy, the halal industry, agriculture, health, and education.
The discussions will also cover regional and global issues, with a focus on cooperation under the United Nations, BRICS, and ASEAN, Brazil's COP30 Presidency, and collaboration through the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Both leaders will reaffirm their commitment to the Palestinian issue. The visit will also see the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering semiconductors, science and innovation, and think-tank collaboration. An Exchange of Notes on diplomatic training and a Letter of Intent on cooperation in genetic resources and biotechnology will also be part of the agenda.
In recognition of President Lula da Silva's leadership and contributions to advancing the Global South, he will receive an Honorary Doctorate in International Development and the Global South from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at a special convocation ceremony on October 25. On October 26, he will attend the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, deliver remarks at the 20th East Asia Summit, and participate in the Gala Dinner hosted by Prime Minister Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on October 27.
The statement also noted that Lula da Silva will take part in the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) on October 25 and 26. In 2024, Brazil was Malaysia's second-largest trading partner in Latin America, with total bilateral trade amounting to RM20.36 billion (USD4.46 billion). Malaysia's exports included electrical and electronic products, palm oil, rubber, and halal pharmaceuticals, while imports comprised ores, processed food, and petroleum products.
The visit underscores the close and strategic partnership between Malaysia and Brazil, grounded in mutual respect and shared prosperity, with a common goal to strengthen South-South cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.