KUALA LUMPUR: Brazil is exploring potential collaboration with ASEAN to boost biofuel production and reduce reliance on other energy-producing countries.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said biofuels offer a cost-effective and rapidly deployable solution for decarbonising sectors from light vehicles to aviation and maritime transport.
He emphasised that biofuels’ potential to reduce emissions makes them a key component of the global clean energy transition.
“The potential for expanding collaboration with Southeast Asia is immense,” Lula said during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2025.
He proposed creating global biofuel markets based on sustainability parameters developed by the Global South rather than standards imposed by richer nations.
Lula also invited all ASEAN countries to participate in the COP 30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, next November.
“I hope that all ASEAN countries are able to contribute to this definitive moment for world leaders,” he stated.
He called for adopting declarations with practical propositions and a roadmap to increase climate financing to 1.3 trillion US dollars.
Additionally, Lula highlighted Brazil’s new semiconductor collaboration with Malaysia to incentivise the sector through financing and tax breaks.
“Brazilian and Malaysian companies will work together to implement semiconductor plants in southern Brazil,” he confirmed.
The Brazilian president is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, his first since returning to office in January 2023. – Bernama
