TOKYO: Now is not the time for the world to remain divided as the global community is facing various threats including climate change, which require regional and international commitment and cooperation for it to be addressed, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

       In his inaugural speech at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia here, also known as the Nikkei Conference, Ismail Sabri shared with the conference a Malay proverb “bulat air kerana pembentung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat” (as water is shaped by its container, so are people shaped by consensus) which reflected the importance of creating a strong commitment to regional and international cooperation.

       “A crisis can be a blessing in disguise which gives us the opportunity to learn from the experience and to find a comprehensive solution to move forward.

       “Nevertheless, the solution should not benefit only one party, but all involved,” he said at the conference themed Redefining Asia’s Role in a Divided World, reported Bernama.

       Ismail Sabri said the economic crisis that occurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, served as a reminder that the Asian region, like any other region, is never spared from the impact.

       The only difference is the extent to which the effects are felt by each country, and developed countries are certainly more capable of dealing with the crisis compared to less developed countries, he said.

       Elaborating, he said the issue of unfair or unequal distribution of vaccines, for example, posed a threat to global economic recovery.

       According to the Prime Minister, the report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that as of May 2022, 72% of people in high-income countries had been given at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while in low-income countries, only 17%.

       He said the conflict in Ukraine had shown that other countries, despite not having anything to do with it, could also be affected, and trading nations like Malaysia would always be vulnerable to any developments that could disrupt and adversely affect global production and logistics capabilities.

       As world superpowers and multinational companies are in turmoil due to the shortage of semiconductors and microchips, the issue of supply disruptions, particularly food, has a greater impact on ordinary people, especially with rising inflation to a record high.

       Without many options, Ismail Sabri said, many countries around the world began to actively plan their strategies to ensure short-term food security.

       “However, no one can succeed if we act alone in the long run. We must think strategically together to strengthen international trade ties and economic cooperation to face these challenges,” he said.