Brazil Reaffirms Long-term Commitment To ASEAN

By Rohani Mohd Ibrahim & Norsyafawati Ab Wahab

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Brazil, ASEAN's only sectoral dialogue partner in Latin America, has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to a dynamic and forward-looking relationship with the bloc. 

Brazil’s Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs Maria Laura da Rocha said ASEAN plays a vital role in promoting peace, economic integration, and balanced development throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.

“The Brazil-ASEAN trilateral meeting is a milestone in Brazil’s ever-closer engagement with ASEAN.

“Our shared objective is to steadily deepen this partnership and to take it to ever-higher levels of ambition and engagement,” she said in her opening remarks at the second trilateral meeting between Malaysia, Brazil and the ASEAN Secretariat here Tuesday. 

Malaysia is currently hosting the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme, ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.

The trilateral meeting was chaired by Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin and attended by Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community Datuk Astanah Abdul Aziz.

“This meeting is an excellent opportunity for us to review recent developments in the Brazil-ASEAN sector and to exchange views on the future direction of our cooperation,” said Rocha.

She expressed optimism that today's meeting would further consolidate Brazil-ASEAN cooperation, deepen mutual trust, and open new pathways for collaboration. 

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, Amran said beyond trade, Malaysia believes that ASEAN and Brazil can forge a strong partnership in championing multilateralism, peace, and stability on the global stage.

“It is clear that ASEAN and Brazil share the same aspirations for peace, stability, prosperity, equality, justice, and humanity,” he added.

According to him, these priorities provide a firm basis for ASEAN and Brazil to work together in championing diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation in a world where some tend to succumb to violence.

“Our collective voices can be instrumental in advocating a peaceful and just resolution to conflicts, including the Syrian situation and the Palestinian territory, particularly in Gaza.

“It is imperative that we call for Israel to be held accountable for its persistent violations of numerous international laws. Impunity must not be allowed,” he said. 

He added that one of the latest additions to Brazil-ASEAN cooperation is a collaboration to promote sustainable energy in Southeast Asia through a project on biofuels and renewable energy initiated by Brazil, as well as cooperation through capacity-building initiatives supporting ASEAN’s efforts in agriculture and food security.

Brazil's experience in these areas aligns well with ASEAN's sustainability agenda and the ASEAN Community Mission, said Amran.

“Together, ASEAN and Brazil will advance the interests of the Global South and ASEAN has deep interest in further strengthening the partnership,” he said. 

-- BERNAMA