PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has urged G20 leaders to take an unequivocal stand to end the atrocities and “ongoing colonisation” in Gaza, as well as the conflicts in Sudan and Ukraine, saying the Global South expects nothing less at a summit hosted by a nation that has itself endured apartheid and colonial rule.
“We meet in a country and continent that has endured the most dehumanising aspect of apartheid and colonisation. The expectation from countries in the South is for the G20 to pursue an agenda that is just and fair,” he said at Session 1 of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, titled “Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind: Building Our Economies; the Role of Trade; Financing for Development; and the Debt Burden”.
“(G20 has) to be unequivocal on our resolve to end the atrocities and colonisation in Gaza, end the civil strife in Sudan, and achieve an amicable resolution to the war in Ukraine,” he said.
During a separate Session 2, themed “A Resilient World – the G20’s Contribution: Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems”, Anwar pressed for decisive action centred on anticipatory investment, technological pragmatism and accelerated adaptation to confront the realities of climate change.
He warned that the world is increasingly shaped by climatic risks and disasters, citing Southeast Asia as one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions. The region has accounted for nearly half of global disaster-related deaths for decades and has suffered over US$4.4 billion in economic losses.
“Not all of these incidents are caused by climate change, but the (increasing) climate pressures only make the impact more severe and weaken the recovery process,” he said.
Speaking as ASEAN Chair for 2025, Anwar said Southeast Asia’s experience demonstrates that resilience hinges on proactive investment, pointing to the region’s development of one of the most active disaster-response systems in the developing world through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, known as the AHA Centre.
“Therefore, it is important to have a broader and more diverse approach to climate action,” he said.
He outlined three proposals for confronting climate challenges.
First, he called for broader, diversified climate action, noting that when global agreements falter, progress can still be driven by regional organisations and subnational coalitions such as cities, states and provinces.
He said ASEAN has shown that regional platforms can advance climate action, disaster cooperation and energy connectivity “even when global processes face difficulties”.
“This is the main framework for practical resilience,” he added.
His second proposal called for embracing technological pragmatism.
“If fossil fuels cannot be phased out quickly, then we need technologies that can reduce their footprint,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), methane abatement and industrial decarbonisation.
Malaysia, he noted, is investing significantly in these pathways, including the development of a carbon capture and storage hub.
He also underscored the role of the ASEAN Power Grid and Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline in enabling renewable energy integration and reinforcing energy security as the region transitions toward cleaner energy.
“This is the type of approach that can make the transition a reality,” he said.
The third proposal focused on accelerating adaptation efforts as climate change continues to threaten lives, livelihoods and food and water security.
Anwar pointed out that climate change has already slowed global agricultural productivity growth by over 20 per cent since 1961.
“Without strong adaptation measures and support for farmers, tens of millions of people risk experiencing hunger by 2050,” he warned.
Strengthening climate-smart agriculture, expanding early-warning systems and supporting smallholders, he said, will be essential for regional stability.
Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s readiness to work with partners globally, regionally and locally to advance climate strategies grounded in the lived realities of the people.
“To sustain this increased effort, access to international climate financing must exist, be predictable and be aligned with the needs of developing regions. Only in this way can we protect livelihoods and advance shared prosperity,” he said. – November 23, 2025