BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT MALAYSIA, ATTEND ASEAN SUMMIT AS GUEST OF THE CHAIR

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva -- REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
23/10/2025 08:56 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will make an official visit to Malaysia from Oct 25 to 27 as Guest of the Chair of ASEAN, in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here.

This will be his first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office for a new term in January 2023 and he will be accompanied by First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, several Cabinet ministers and senior officials.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said on Oct 25, Lula da Silva will be accorded an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya, followed by a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana.

Both leaders are expected to review the progress of Malaysia-Brazil ties and explore new avenues to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, semiconductors, science and technology, renewable energy, halal industry, agriculture, health and education.

They will also discuss regional and global issues, including cooperation under the United Nations, BRICS and ASEAN, Brazil’s COP30 Presidency and collaboration through the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Both leaders are also expected to reaffirm commitment to the Palestinian issue.

Following the meeting, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged covering semiconductors, science and innovation, and think-tank collaboration, along with an Exchange of Notes on diplomatic training and a Letter of Intent on cooperation in genetic resources and biotechnology.

In recognition of his leadership and contributions to advancing the Global South, Lula da Silva will receive an Honorary Doctorate in International Development and the Global South from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at a special convocation ceremony on Oct 25.

On Oct 26, the President will attend the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, and deliver remarks at the 20th East Asia Summit before joining the Gala Dinner hosted by Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on Oct 27.

“He will also participate in the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) on Oct 25 and 26,” the statement read.

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 reflects the close and strategic partnership between Malaysia and Brazil, underpinned by mutual respect, shared prosperity, and a common aspiration to strengthen South–South cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries,” the ministry added.

-- BERNAMA