Malaysia calls for inclusive, just multilateralism for the Global South, says foreign minister

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan attends the 50th Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 (G77) and China at the UN Headquarters in New York September 26, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 26 Sep 2026 11:38 AM MYT

NEW YORK, Sept 26 — Malaysia has called for a renewed approach to multilateralism grounded in inclusivity, justice and accountability for the Global South amid growing geopolitical tensions, persistent conflicts and widening inequalities.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this in his intervention at the G77 and China Ministerial Meeting themed “The Global South and the Future of Multilateralism” here today.

Mohamad is in New York from September 23 to 27 to lead Malaysia’s delegation to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“We meet at a time when the multilateral system is under considerable strain. Geopolitical tensions are deepening, conflicts persist, inequalities widening, and progress of the Sustainable Development Goals remains far too slow,” he said.

At the same time, he said developing countries continued to face a global financial and economic architecture that does not adequately address current challenges.

“These challenges do not diminish the importance of multilateralism. They reinforce our need for it.

“For Malaysia, the question is not whether multilateralism remains relevant, but how we make it more representative, equitable and responsive to the needs of all countries,” he said.

Mohamad said developing countries play a meaningful role in setting the direction of this shared future.

“This requires reform of global governance, including international financial institutions, so that they better reflect the interests and realities of developing countries.

“Malaysia, therefore, calls for reform of international financial institutions, a more effective multilateral trading system, stronger climate action, and greater Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as ICT cooperation including next-generation artificial intelligence, to advance the 2030 Agenda and support the Global South,” he said.

The foreign minister stressed that the central role of the United Nations must be preserved.

“Any reform of the UN system should strengthen its ability to deliver for Member States, particularly developing countries, while remaining firmly anchored in the principles of the UN Charter, national ownership and the intergovernmental nature of this Organisation,” he said.

On South-South cooperation, Mohamad said it had demonstrated that the countries were not merely recipients of development solutions.

“We are partners, innovators and contributors in our own right,” he said.

Mohamad noted that Malaysia remained firmly committed to this spirit of solidarity, reflected through its Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).

“Through capacity-building, technical cooperation and the sharing of expertise, MTCP supports fellow developing countries and contributes to the G77’s broader goals of self-reliance and stronger South-South cooperation,” he said.

Mohamad said as countries confronted new challenges, from climate change and development financing to rapid technological transformation, new divides must not replace old ones.

“Access to finance, technology and capacity-building must therefore remain at the heart of our collective agenda,” he said.

Thus, he said the G77 and China had an important responsibility in this endeavour.

“Our diversity is considerable, but our strength has always come from our solidarity and our shared determination to advance the interests of developing countries,” he said.

“Malaysia therefore supports a renewed approach to multilateralism that is grounded in inclusivity, justice and accountability,” he said. — Bernama