The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), created in 1967 and composed of Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, has consolidated itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions, with a combined GDP of US$4.8 trillion and a population of 690 million in 2025. The ASEAN-6 group (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) accounts for 96% of the bloc’s GDP and stands out for its economic expansion, accelerated industrialization, urbanization, and technological innovation, becoming a central axis for trade, investment, and the development of global value chains.

Regional economic integration is further strengthened by the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), which links ASEAN with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, reinforcing intra-Asian production networks and increasing investment attractiveness. Estimates suggest that by 2030, the bloc’s GDP may double, driven by sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, sustainable infrastructure, and emerging consumer markets.

Following the 47th ASEAN Summit, held in Indonesia in October of this year with the participation of President Lula, initiatives to expand Brazil’s political and economic presence in Southeast Asia have intensified. On the agenda, Brazil reaffirmed commitments in productive integration, energy transition, agricultural cooperation, and technological innovation. In addition, the Brazil–Malaysia Bilateral Forum deepened dialogue on investment, sustainable infrastructure, biofuels, and global value chains, consolidating engagement with key regional partners.

This movement takes place in a context of growing dynamism in Brazil–ASEAN relations. Bilateral trade has been increasing, although still concentrated in agricultural commodities. In 2024, Brazil exported US$26.4 billion to the bloc and imported US$10.8 billion, generating a surplus based on soybeans, oils, and sugar. This scenario reveals clear opportunities to diversify Brazil’s export profile, especially in manufactured goods, services, the green economy, agricultural biotechnology, and energy technologies—topics central to the discussions during the Summit.

In this context, the virtual meeting “Brazil–ASEAN Axis: Cooperation and Trade Opportunities” proposes a debate on ASEAN’s growing role in the post-Summit global landscape, identifying opportunities for productive integration, investment attraction, and technological innovation. It also aims to discuss pathways to strengthen Brazil’s presence in Asia across strategic, high value-added sectors, thereby enhancing Brazil’s international projection and its integration into the global economy of the 21st century.