From Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian

Within the span of about four weeks, two major forums took place in Moscow and both promoted the theme of sovereignty and cooperation for mutual benefits – the convening of the inaugural World Public Assembly (WPA) under the theme “A New World of Conscious Unity” and the International Joint Effort Forum 2025 (IJEF), in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.

I had the privilege to speak and be invited to participate in both events. Both platforms reaffirm that conscious unity is not merely a theme – it is a movement.

Malaysia’s participation in both forums reflects our enduring commitment to global peace, multipolar dialogue and the belief that our multicultural heritage is not just a national asset, but a global contribution. A true historical moment in our collective journey towards peace, prosperity and shared humanity.

Unity beyond borders

Malaysia has long believed in the principle that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of trust, respect and mutual understanding.

During both events, this principle was vividly alive. World leaders, thought leaders and citizens from diverse cultures and faiths affirmed that our common denominator is humanity itself.

In my panel session “From Trust Between People to Trust Between Economies: Humanitarian Foundations of International Partnership” during the WPA, I highlighted that this truth resonates deeply with Malaysia’s own multicultural fabric, where unity in diversity is not an aspiration but a lived reality.

The Asean region, with over 200,000 ethnicities, is an extension of this shared value.

Trust as the currency of the future

In today’s multipolar world, trust is the most valuable resource. Without it, economic integration falters, diplomacy weakens and societies fragment. With it, however, we can build resilient partnerships that transcend borders.

I reiterated that trust is cultivated through open dialogue, transparency and respect for sovereignty. Malaysia, situated at the crossroads of Asia and one of the world’s major trade routes, has always championed dialogue as the path to peace whether through Asean or the Non-Aligned Movement.

Business, responsibility and shared prosperity

One of the most compelling themes of the forums was the role of trade and business in shaping a sustainable future with calculated certainty and predictability.

In the modern era, from climate change to digital transformation, from pandemics to geopolitical instability, businesses must act not only as engines of profit but as stewards of society.

Investments in education, healthcare, ecology and infrastructure are not acts of charity; they are investments in stability, trust and long-term growth.

Malaysia’s own experience demonstrates this truth. Our economic transformation has been strongest when anchored in inclusivity, sustainability and regional cooperation.

Youth as architects of tomorrow

The International Youth Forum, held alongside the WPA, and the “New Generations” Presidential Programme under IJEF, reminded us that the future belongs to the next generation. Their creativity, technological fluency and moral clarity are indispensable in addressing the urgent challenges of our time.

The intellectual potential of youth is the main engine of social transformation. Malaysia echoes this conviction. Our youth are not only the inheritors of tomorrow but the innovators of today.

Towards a culture of peace

History is being written before our eyes. We are moving into a qualitatively new stage of international dialogue, one where public diplomacy, cultural exchange and humanitarian cooperation are as vital as statecraft.

Malaysia stands ready to contribute to this new architecture of peace. Our message is simple – unity is strength, dialogue is power and humanity is our shared destiny.

A new multipolar architecture

Andrey Belyaninov, secretary-general of the World’s Peoples Assembly and the main driver of the WPA, has proven that the dream of conscious unity is not utopian, it is achievable. It requires courage, humility and above all, the recognition that every action generates a reaction.

If we choose dialogue over division, cooperation over confrontation and humanity over hostility, then we will indeed write a new chapter in global history, written not by a single author but a contribution of multiple writers, written in their own language and text and understood by all.

I left these forums with renewed conviction – that our nation, with its unique heritage of coexistence, can and must be a bridge in this new world of conscious unity, for the betterment of all mankind.

Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian is a former senator.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.