Kuala lumpur: Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva has emphasized the significance of governance as a service to the people, particularly focusing on the poor and vulnerable segments of society. Lula made these remarks during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, following their bilateral meeting at Seri Perdana.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lula stated that governance should be centered on serving the populace rather than pursuing power. He expressed his preference for the term "take care" over "govern" when discussing leadership, highlighting the government's duty to support those in need. Lula stressed the importance of prioritizing individuals who genuinely require governmental assistance and service.
Lula's visit to Malaysia is in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, marking his first official visit as Guest of the Chair of ASEAN. Addressing global conflicts, he criticized the United Nations Security Council for its inability to effectively manage crises like the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Lula condemned the ongoing conflicts and called for a new world system to prevent such tragedies.
Furthermore, Lula expressed concerns over climate change and criticized the lack of implementation of past global agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. He urged the need for effective global governance to address environmental challenges, emphasizing the importance of thinking about planet Earth collectively.
Brazil's participation in the ASEAN Summit underscores the strong diplomatic ties between Brazil and Malaysia. This visit is significant as it marks the first time a Latin American country has been invited to the summit. Lula noted the mutual confidence between the nations and expressed hope for meaningful participation in the summit.
During his visit, Lula will attend various events, including the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Summit, the 20th East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS). The Brazilian President's visit highlights the growing economic relationship between Brazil and Malaysia, with bilateral trade reaching RM20.36 billion (USD4.46 billion) in 2024. Malaysia's exports to Brazil include electrical and electronic products, palm oil, and rubber, while imports consist of ores, processed food, and petroleum products.