Malaysia's Economic Minister believes ASEAN chairmanship will foster synergies with BRICS to promote inclusivity and sustainability

Malaysia was recently recognised as one of the 13 nations officially designated as a BRICS partner country.

At the BRICS Outreach Summit in Kazan, Russia, on 25 October 2025, Malaysia’s Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli spoke about the promising synergies between ASEAN and BRICS. With Malaysia set to take on the ASEAN chairmanship next year, he underscored the country’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and sustainability in its initiatives. 

The minister said this while speaking at a BRICS meeting in Russia, following the country's recognition as one of the 13 nations officially designated a partner country of BRICS. 

According to an article by Bernama, the bloc represents about 40% of the global population and accounts for a cumulative gross domestic product (GDP) of US$26.6tn (RM115.4tn), or 26.2% of the world’s GDP, nearly matching the economic strength of the Group of Seven (G7).  

Quoted in the article, Minister Rafizi expressed Malaysia's ambition to showcase its leadership in key sectors such as semiconductors, energy transition, and Islamic finance. He emphasised that Malaysia's application to join BRICS focuses on building economic partnerships, strengthening trade ties, and expanding growth potential. 

During his speech, broadcast live on his official “X” platform, he stated: "Indeed, Malaysia’s application to BRICS is centered on building economic partnerships, strengthening trade ties, and expanding our growth potential.” 

He further elaborated on how Malaysia is actively shaping its new role as ASEAN chair in 2025, driven by a vision rooted in economic diplomacy. This approach aims to leverage the country’s centrality and neutrality, bridging ASEAN and BRICS, and positioning Malaysia as a focal point for countries that want to push back against the global trends. 

Minister Rafizi also addressed the situation in Gaza, pointing out the ongoing marginalisation of certain Global South countries that remain under-represented. He highlighted that rising protectionism stifles progress for smaller nations and that barriers to development finance impede the building of vital infrastructure and a growing global debt has become a chokehold to growth.  

For Malaysia, BRICS represents not just a rejection of these constraints but also a solution, he was cited as saying. "As the world becomes multipolar, BRICS has become a critical counterbalance.  

"If member countries can embrace seamless economic linkages, the potential is exponential,” he stressed. 

Concluding his speech, he asserted that by promoting greater economic integration, developing countries will have more opportunities in infrastructure investment, technology transfer and capacity building. 

Besides Malaysia, the other 12 nations newly designated as partners are as follows:  

1. Algeria,  
2. Belarus,  
3. Bolivia,  
4. Cuba,  
5. Indonesia,  
6. Kazakhstan,  
7. Nigeria,  
8. Thailand,  
9. Turkey,  
10. Uganda,  
11. Uzbekistan, and  
12. Vietnam. 

Lead image / Minister Rafizi Ramli's Facebook