NEW DELHI, May 14 — Malaysia has called for stronger cooperation among BRICS members and partners to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global order amid rising geopolitical tensions, weakened global institutions, and disrupted supply chains.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the significance of BRICS cooperation has become increasingly important as the world grapples with economic uncertainties and shifting geopolitical realities.
“Against a backdrop of weakened global architecture, intensified risk of geopolitical conflict and destabilised energy markets and global supply chains, there has never been a greater need for our collaboration,” he said during the BRICS Partners foreign ministers’ meeting here today.
He said BRICS, as a grouping that represents some of the world’s most productive economies, has the potential to strengthen global resilience through greater intra-trade and cross-investment.
“By leveraging on our relative strengths, BRICS has the potential to forge a major global supply chain; one that is diversified, dependable, and able to withstand global shocks,” he said.
However, Mohamad added that resilience alone would not be enough as the current phase of global growth is being increasingly shaped by technology and digital transformation.
“Digital public infrastructure, fintech systems, and AI are already changing how economies function and how governments deliver services, but without inclusive access, these technologies will only widen inequality, instead of bridge the gap,” he said.
He also said Malaysia sees value in deeper BRICS cooperation on digital governance, especially in AI, digital infrastructure, and skills development, to ensure technological advancements benefit all countries more equitably.
On sustainable development, Mohamad said green finance must move “from the margins to the centre of global development planning”, adding that institutions such as the New Development Bank have a critical role in ensuring financing is fair, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the Global South.
“Without this, the gap between ambition and implementation will only continue to widen,” he explained.
BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, represents a major share of the global population and economy, encompassing approximately 3.87 billion people, or around 48.8 per cent of the global population.
Last year, the collective GDP of BRICS members was projected at about US$32 trillion, representing around 28.5 per cent of global output.
Malaysia, along with Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan, became BRICS partners on January 1, 2025, while Nigeria obtained the same status on January 17, 2025, and Vietnam on June 13, 2025.
