BRAZILIAN President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sharply criticised the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing it of failing in its role as an effective international body to halt wars and protect peace.
He said many of today’s global conflicts stem from the actions of the Council’s own member states acting unilaterally, without international consensus.
"How can we remain silent, watching the war in Ukraine continue, or the prolonged suffering in Gaza? Violence cannot be normalised. When we accept atrocities as normal, we lose our humanity," he said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his official visit to Malaysia.
Lula also pointed to similar failures in tackling climate change, saying major powers have yet to honour their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
He warned that the world now faces a vacuum in effective global governance, leaving humanity and the planet exposed to growing risks.
"The climate crisis most affects the poor, rural populations, and those living in disaster-prone areas. World leaders must act not only for their own countries but for the survival of this planet," he said.
The Brazilian leader expressed hope that the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will be hosted by Brazil next year, would serve as a turning point for restoring global trust in science and reaffirming the world’s commitment to protecting the Earth’s future.
Lula said he was optimistic that his visit to Malaysia and participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit would usher in a new era of strategic cooperation between the two nations.
"Malaysia can offer technology to Brazil, while Brazil is ready to share its expertise in various fields. Today we signed several important agreements, and I am returning home with new confidence," he said.
He also lauded Malaysia’s rapid progress, describing it as a model of sustainable development admired across the globe.
"It has been 30 years since a Brazilian president visited Malaysia, a fact that is hard to believe, given that Malaysia is an example of extraordinary success. If Malaysia can succeed but Brazil is still lagging, it means there is something we need to fix," he said.
During his visit, Lula was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in International Development and the Global South by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). - October 25, 2025
