Brazil’s President Lula Confirms Attending ASEAN Summit In KL

Source: BusinessToday Malaysia | Original Published At: 2025-10-23 10:01:19 UTC

Key Points

• President Lula da Silva to attend 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur as Guest of Chair
• Bilateral meeting with PM Anwar Ibrahim to focus on trade, semiconductors, renewable energy, agriculture, and health
• Exchange of MoUs in science/tech, think-tank collaboration, and biotechnology
• 2024 bilateral trade reached USD4.46 billion with growth potential in multiple sectors
• Discussions on COP30, Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, and BRICS cooperation

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has confirmed that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will participate in the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits as Guest of Chair.

Scheduled to take place from 26 to 28 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Summit will convene leaders of ASEAN Member States alongside key external partners to advance regional cooperation, inclusivity and sustainability.

This marks President Lula da Silva’s first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office for a new term in January 2023. President Lula da Silva will be accompanied by First Lady Ms. Janja Lula da Silva, as well as several Cabinet ministers and senior officials of the Brazilian Government.

On 25 October 2025, President Lula da Silva will be accorded an official welcome ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex, Putrajaya, followed by a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana Complex, Putrajaya. Both Leaders are expected to review the progress of Malaysia-Brazil relations and explore new avenues to strengthen cooperation in key strategic sectors, including trade and investment; semiconductors; science, technology and innovation; renewable energy and biofuels; Halal industry; agriculture and agro commodities; health and education.

Both Leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues, including cooperation within the frameworks of the United Nations, BRICS and ASEAN. Discussions will also touch on Brazil’s Presidency of COP30, with the Summit of Heads of State scheduled to be hosted in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025, as well as explore opportunities for collaboration under the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Both Leaders are also expected to reaffirm both countries’ firm commitment to the Palestinian issue.

Following the bilateral meeting, both Leaders will witness the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as semiconductors; science, technology and innovation; and think-tank collaboration, as well as an Exchange of Notes (EoN) on diplomatic training and Letter of Intent (LOI) on cooperation in Genetic Resources and Biotechnology.

In recognition of President Lula da Silva’s leadership, contributions, and commitment to international development, particularly in advancing the Global South, he will be conferred an Honorary Doctorate in International Development and the Global South by the National University of Malaysia (UKM) at a Special Convocation Ceremony on 25 October 2025.

On 26 October 2025, President Lula da Silva was invited to the Opening of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. On 27 October 2025, he will be invited to deliver a remark at the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) as well as attend the Gala Dinner hosted by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Dato’ Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

President Lula da Silva is also scheduled to participate at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), hosted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council of Malaysia, on 25 – 26 October 2025.

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 main exports to Brazil included electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment & parts, palm oil, rubber, medical devices, and halal pharmaceuticals, while imports from Brazil comprised metalliferous ores & metal scrap, processed food, petroleum products and crude petroleum.

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.