President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the first Brazilian President to attend an ASEAN summit, published an opinion column under the above title on Oct. 23 in a major media outlet in each of five ASEAN member states: Indonesia’s Jakarta Post; Cambodia’s The Star; Thailand’s Bangkok Post; the Vietnam News Agency; and the Philippine Star. His message demonstrates the Global South’s growing sense of the power that stems from its cooperation.
“The partnership between Brazil and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an example of how it is possible to build a future of peace, stability, and sustainable growth. With complementary and dynamic economies and a shared vision of a just and inclusive international order, we prove that dialogue and cooperation between the Global South are capable of overcoming distances and generating mutual benefits,” he wrote.
President Lula pointed to the potentials for Brazil-ASEAN economic cooperation in everything from trade (which has grown more than 16-fold in the past 25 years), to increased production of food and energy, industrial innovation, digital applications (Brazil’s PIX payments system was one area singled out), environmentalism, etc.
Lula also noted the implications for peace: “Alongside economic and technological cooperation, Brazil and ASEAN share a worldview that prioritizes peace, stability, and universalism as foundations of a more just international order. Our common commitment to disarmament, exemplified by the status of nuclear-weapon-free zones, demonstrates the conviction that collective security must be based on cooperation and not on the law of the strongest,” he wrote.
“Through cooperation and friendship, Brazil and ASEAN prove how it is possible for everyone to win in international relations, in a true win-win relationship. Together, we have the chance to right injustices and build a prosperous, sustainable, and peaceful future for all.”
He did not mention cooperation on birthday parties, but Malaysia threw a grand celebration for him at the summit on Oct. 27, for his 80th birthday.
