Anwar: No country should have to choose between repaying debt and caring for its people

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, speaking at the 18th Brics Leaders Summit, advocated for a fairer global financing system that does not force countries to choose between debt repayment and fulfilling obligations to their citizens.

He emphasized the importance of sustainable financing and called for dismantling unfair trade practices and enhancing cooperation in emerging fields.

Anwar highlighted the role of the Brics group in fostering trade diversification and inclusive growth, also addressing geopolitical issues and the need for strategic autonomy in international relations.

NEW DELHI, Sept 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a fairer global financing system, saying no country should be forced to choose between repaying its debts and meeting its obligations to its people.

“Many developing countries were facing debt distress or were at serious risk of it, with some spending more on interest payments than on educating their young or caring for the sick.

“No nation should be forced to choose between honouring its debts and honouring its obligations to its people,” he said when delivering his speech at the National Statement on Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth at the end of the 18th Brics Leaders Summit here today.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said financing must be “fit for purpose”, stressing that meeting basic needs and providing public goods should not leave countries with unsustainable debt.

He also highlighted the role of commercial capital when deployed on sound and sustainable terms, while calling for progress on initiatives including the New Development Bank, local currency settlement mechanisms and the potential of Islamic capital markets.

The Prime Minister urged countries to take concrete action to dismantle unfair trading practices and share development experiences, technical cooperation and training in emerging fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

On the green transition, he said countries should be allowed to move at different speeds and along different paths according to their circumstances and stage of development.

“We need to invest in technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage as part of our own transition,” he said.

Anwar also described Brics as offering “crucial geo-economic advantages”, saying its vast integrated market could create opportunities for trade diversification and help member economies reduce their over-reliance on traditional Western markets.

“The synergies that are created, exploited and optimally utilised will serve as an impetus for the generation of economic growth and shared prosperity,” he said.

Turning to West Asia, Anwar said inclusive growth and prosperity could not be discussed while war was driving energy prices higher and threatening the sea lanes on which economies depend.

“Malaysia’s position is clear. Sovereignty must be respected, civilians protected and the arteries of the global economy kept out of the battlefield.

“Those with the greatest capacity to shape events bear a particular responsibility to prevent further escalation,” he said.

Anwar said Malaysia hoped Brics would state plainly that “occupation, or settler colonialism or even more in point ‘settler terrorism’ cannot become destiny and no life weighs less for where it is lived.”

He noted that Brics could widen choices and strengthen countries’ capacity to shape the world around them, but stressed that influence was not an end in itself.

“For Malaysia, strategic autonomy means the freedom to choose our own course, and the courage to stand by that choice when it matters. As a Partner Country, Malaysia hopes to contribute in that spirit,” he added. — Bernama

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马来西亚总理拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣在第18届金砖国家领导人峰会上发表讲话，倡导建立一个更公平的全球融资体系，该体系不应迫使各国在偿还债务和履行对公民的义务之间做出选择。

他强调了可持续融资的重要性，并呼吁消除不公平贸易行为，加强在新兴领域的合作。

安瓦尔强调了金砖国家集团在促进贸易多元化和包容性增长方面的作用，同时还谈到了地缘政治问题以及在国际关系中实现战略自主的必要性。

新德里，9月13日——首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣呼吁建立一个更公平的全球融资体系，称任何国家都不应该被迫在偿还债务和履行对人民的义务之间做出选择。

“许多发展中国家面临债务困境或面临严重的债务困境风险，有些国家在支付利息上的支出甚至超过了教育年轻人或照顾病人的支出。

“任何国家都不应该被迫在偿还债务和履行对人民的义务之间做出选择，”他在今天于此举行的第十八届金砖国家领导人峰会闭幕式上发表关于塑造包容性全球增长未来的国家声明时说道。

安瓦尔同时也是财政部长，他表示融资必须“符合目的”，并强调满足基本需求和提供公共产品不应使国家背负不可持续的债务。

他还强调了商业资本在合理和可持续的条件下发挥作用的重要性，同时呼吁在包括新开发银行、本币结算机制和伊斯兰资本市场潜力在内的各项举措上取得进展。

总理敦促各国采取具体行动，消除不公平贸易行为，并在半导体和人工智能等新兴领域分享发展经验、技术合作和培训。

关于绿色转型，他表示，应该允许各国根据自身情况和发展阶段，以不同的速度和不同的路径前进。

他说：“作为我们自身转型的一部分，我们需要投资碳捕获、利用和储存等技术。”

安瓦尔还表示，金砖国家具有“至关重要的地缘经济优势”，其庞大的一体化市场可以创造贸易多元化的机会，并帮助成员经济体减少对传统西方市场的过度依赖。

他表示：“所创造、利用和最佳发挥的协同效应，将成为促进经济增长和共同繁荣的动力。”

谈到西亚问题，安瓦尔表示，战争推高了能源价格，威胁着各国赖以生存的海上航线，在这种情况下，就无法讨论包容性增长和繁荣。

“马来西亚的立场很明确。主权必须得到尊重，平民必须得到保护，全球经济命脉必须远离战场。”

他说：“那些最有能力左右局势发展的人，负有防止局势进一步升级的特殊责任。”

安华表示，马来西亚希望金砖国家明确表态，“占领、殖民主义，甚至更确切地说是‘殖民恐怖主义’，都不能成为命运，生命不应因居住地而有所轻重。”

他指出，金砖国家可以拓宽选择范围，增强各国塑造世界的能力，但他强调，影响力本身并不是目的。

“对马来西亚而言，战略自主意味着自由选择自身发展道路，并在关键时刻有勇气坚持这一选择。作为伙伴国，马来西亚希望本着这种精神做出贡献。”他补充道。——马新社

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