Malaysian premier warns international system under 'enormous strain'
Anwar Ibrahim says the multilateral trading system faces growing pressures from fragmentation, unilateral actions, and strategic competition, urging that the system be "reformed and renewed" to adapt to changing times rather than abandoned or preserved unchanged.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday warned that the international system which has supported decades of growth faces "enormous strain" amid escalating great power rivalry and mounting challenges to global consensus. Speaking at the 31st Nikkei Forum on the Future of Asia in Tokyo, Anwar said that "the international system that supported decades of growth and development is under enormous strain," citing growing pressures on the multilateral trading system driven by fragmentation and unilateral actions.
He noted that export restrictions and industrial policies across the global economy are "increasingly shaped by geopolitical rivalry," describing the tendency of "weaponizing economic interdependence" as the "most troubling." Anwar called for the multilateral system to be "reformed and renewed" rather than abandoned or preserved unchanged, urging international institutions to adapt to changing times.
Regional conflicts and security challenges
Anwar said that the continuing tragedy in Gaza, escalating tensions across the Middle East, and the prolonged war in Ukraine "remind us of the fragility of peace and the limits of international consensus." "These are urgent and pressing concerns directly impacting the very fabric of the international order," he added, also noting regional challenges such as disputes in the South China Sea and nuclear-armed North Korea.
During the forum, Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro stressed the importance of collective action, respect for international law, and regional cooperation to advance peace and shared prosperity.
AI governance and forum conclusions
Anwar urged that developing nations must have a voice in shaping the rules and governance frameworks for artificial intelligence. The 31st Nikkei Forum on the Future of Asia convened leaders from across the region to address economic and security challenges under the theme "Working together for a more resilient and prosperous Asia."
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