- Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto unveils plan to make Portuguese a priority language in the national education system.
- The announcement comes as Indonesia and Brazil sign four key agreements spanning science, energy, and trade during President Lula da Silva’s state visit the first by a Brazilian leader since 2008.
- President Lula’s Southeast Asia tour includes participation in the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, aimed at deepening Brazil’s ties with the region and reinforcing cooperation under the Global South framework.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto released a policy plan to make Portuguese a priority language in the Indonesian education system. The deal was heralded as Indonesia and Brazil completed the signing of four agreements - in science, technology and innovation; energy and mineral resources; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; and, statistical cooperation - during Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's State Visit - the first by a Brazilian President to the country since 2008.
Lula and Subianto held a working meeting where they discussed bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues. They will also participate in the Brazil-Indonesia Economic Forum, which will bring together private sector leaders from the two countries.
"I began today a journey that will move along Indonesia and Malaysia and which will be crowned by my presence at the ASEAN Summit. Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world. ASEAN is already Brazil's fifth largest trade partner. Asia occupied a priority place in our international agenda in 2025", Lula said on X.
Friday will see Lula at the headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, where he will hold talks with its Secretary-General, Kao Kim Hourn. Brazil is the sole Latin American nation to have a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN, in which political coordination and multi-sector cooperation projects are carried out.
Brazil and Indonesia established a Strategic Partnership in 2008, Brazil's first strategic partnership in Southeast Asia. The bilateral relation has deepened in various areas, such as agricultural trade, bioenergy, defence, and sustainable development. In 2024, trade reached a record of USD 6.3 billion, with a Brazilian surplus of USD 2.6 billion.
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"Again, it is an honor to receive Your Excellency and your delegation in Jakarta after my visit to Brasilia last July. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the hospitality that I had enjoyed during my state visit to Brazil. Now, Your Excellency President of Brazil is returning the state visit, and we again thank you", said the Indonesian President.
The President of Brazil is also invited to join the 47th ASEAN Summit and Associated Summits, to be held on October 26-28 in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur as a Guest of the Chair. The Summit hosted by Malaysia under its ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 will gather the leaders of ASEAN Member States and key external partners to promote regional cooperation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
This would be President Lula da Silva's first formal visit to Malaysia after being in office for his new term in January 2023. He would be bringing along First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, and several Cabinet ministers and senior members of the Brazilian government.
"On 25 October 2025, President Lula da Silva will receive an honor welcome ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex, Putrajaya, before conducting a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana Complex, Putrajaya. The Leaders are to review the development of Malaysia-Brazil relations and seek new opportunities to deepen cooperation in key fields, that is, trade and investment; semiconductors; science, technology and innovation; renewable energy and biofuels; Halal industry; agriculture and agro commodities; health and education", said a statement issued by the office of the Malaysian President.
In recognition of President Lula da Silva's leadership, effort, and commitment toward world development, more specifically for advancing the Global South, he will be conferred an Honorary Doctorate in International Development and the Global South by the National University of Malaysia (UKM) at a Special Convocation Ceremony on October 25.
