SEPANG, Oct 24 — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Malaysia for a three-day official visit, as Guest of the Chair of ASEAN, in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here.
The special aircraft carrying Lula, his First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, and his delegation landed at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), at about 3.30pm and were received by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Lula then inspected a guard of honour comprising 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Captain Mohd Masrur Hidayat Masri.
Wisma Putra, in a statement, said that this is Lula’s first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office for a new term in January 2023.
He 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, and 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 expected to reaffirm their 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.
On Sunday, the Brazilian 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.
Lula will also participate in the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) on Oct 25 and 26, according to the statement.
In 2024, Brazil was Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America, with total bilateral trade amounting to RM20.36 billion (US$4.46 billion).
Malaysia’s exports included electrical and electronic products, palm oil, rubber and halal pharmaceuticals, while imports comprised ores, processed food and petroleum products.
Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair this year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will host the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to 28.
The Summit will gather leaders from the 10 ASEAN member states and dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan and India.
Expected to be the largest ASEAN gathering since its inception in 1967, it will welcome global leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing ASEAN since 1967, following its previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
