KUALA LUMPUR: Brazil and South Africa’s presence at the East Asia Summit (EAS) represents a new consciousness of democratic transition and strongly supports multilateralism, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"We want Africa to very much be a part of these engagements, expanding our trading links, investments and geopolitical arrangements.
"Similarly with Brazil, extending our multilateral arrangements and trade investments, and I believe within the whole of East Asia," Anwar said in his opening remarks at the East Asia Summit here on Monday (Oct 27).
Both Brazil and South Africa, represented by their respective Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Cyril Ramaphosa, were invited to the summit as guests of this year's Asean Chair, Malaysia.
Anwar added that the summit is set to adopt the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 20th anniversary of the EAS and the leaders' statement on promoting localisation and anticipatory action for disaster preparedness and response.
He also congratulated EAS participating countries for their commitment and tenacity towards this achievement.
"This is a clear example that diversity does not divide," he said.
Anwar added that the EAS was established 20 years ago as a leader-led forum for dialogue on strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern.
In his address, Anwar also highlighted the need to renew EAS’ shared purpose.
"We assert our objectives, promote principled and forward-looking engagements, continue advocating dialogue over coercion, balance over binaries, and cooperation over confrontation.
"We affirm our stand on global peace and security for multilateralism and international law," he said.
The EAS process was initiated in 2005 with the convening of the 1st East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
At its inception, it comprised 16 participating countries, namely the Asean Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
The United States and the Russian Federation joined at the 6th East Asia Summit in Bali on Nov 19, 2011.
