Johannesburg: Malaysia has once again called on the international community to break its silence on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the continued oppression of the Iranian people. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the BRICS grouping must rise as a global voice for justice, rejecting all forms of oppression and upholding human dignity. He made the call during the intervention session on the first day of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the summit focuses on strengthening multilateralism, pushing for reforms in the global economic and financial systems, and promoting ethical governance of artificial intelligence (AI). Prime Minister Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s stance that the world’s future should be shaped by cooperation, shared prosperity, and a commitment to a just, secure, and inclusive digital future for all, rather than dictated by bloc rivalries or geopolitical divisions.

As of July 3, 2025, nearly 58,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in the Gaza war, which began in October 2023. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also addressed the conflict in Gaza, Iran, and Ukraine during the Peace and Security, Global Governance Session at the summit. Lula condemned the terrorist actions by Hamas and criticized the genocidal practices by Israel in Gaza, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Lula advocated for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State within the 1967 borders as a solution to the conflict. The Brazilian Government also denounced violations of Iran’s territorial integrity, akin to its stance on Ukraine. Lula urged for direct dialogue among the parties engaged in the war in Ukraine to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace, citing the success of UN missions in East Timor as evidence that promoting peace and stability is possible.