KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's foreign policy must ultimately deliver tangible benefits for its people by creating jobs, attracting investment, expanding education opportunities and strengthening economic cooperation, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking at the 39th Asia- Pacific Roundtable (39APR), Anwar said that diplomacy should not be viewed solely through the lens of international relations, but as a tool to improve livelihoods and support national development.

"Foreign policy is not merely about diplomacy and international trade. It is about jobs. It is about investment, technology, education, and opportunities for all," he said in his speech today (July 2).

He said Malaysia has continued to deepen ties with its traditional trading and investment partners while leveraging existing free trade agreements to improve market access and create a more conducive environment for economic growth.

"Over the years we have worked to deepen our ties with our traditional trading and investment partners. Utilising existing free trade agreements, we have worked to streamline tariffs, improve market access, and facilitate more equitable investment rules," he said. 

Anwar said Malaysia is also expanding its engagement with emerging markets across West Asia, Central Asia, Latin America and Africa as part of efforts to diversify economic partnerships amid growing global uncertainty.

"Concurrently, we also saw prospects in newer, less leveraged markets in West Asia, Central Asia, Latin America, and across the African continent.

“These were economic policies having non-diplomacy rights on geopolitics, yielding an ideal combination. Our influence is on dynamic collaboration in areas such as high-level industries, digital economy, agriculture, and humanitarian,” he added.

He said the government is pursuing cooperation in strategic sectors including high-value industries, the digital economy, agriculture and energy to strengthen long-term economic resilience.

Anwar cited Malaysia's recent engagement with Turkmenistan, where agreements were signed to explore and develop major gas fields and strengthen cooperation in hydrocarbon development.

He said such initiatives reflected Malaysia's commitment to building practical, mission-driven partnerships that generate economic benefits for the country and the region.

"In a most uncertain global environment, diversification is not just an economic sector. It is a national and regional necessity.

“What we have strived for over the years when it comes to Malaysia's foreign policy may be stated as the following,” he said. 

Anwar said Malaysia would continue pursuing an independent, proactive and principled foreign policy while expanding international cooperation to create opportunities for its people and strengthen the country's economic resilience.