Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, has a diverse population of 33 million people, comprising a multi-religious society with three primary ethnic and linguistic groups: Malay, Chinese, and Indians. Since gaining independence in 1957, Malaysia has maintained political stability and witnessed rapid economic growth, positioning itself to achieve high-income status by 2024. The country's promising economic outlook is underpinned by its well-developed infrastructure, rich natural resources including oil, gas, forestry, and agriculture, alongside globally competitive manufacturing and services sectors. Malaysia is also home to some of the world's most significant remaining mega-diverse tropical forests, such as the Malaysian Forest Spine in Peninsular Malaysia and the Heart of Borneo. These vital global ecosystems are inhabited by various indigenous communities. As one of the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia plays a key role in regional cooperation and development.
Our partnership
Malaysia stands as a pivotal strategic partner for the European Union (EU), with bilateral relations based on mutual interests and shared values, including human rights, gender equality and women's empowerment, labour standards, democracy, the environment, and multilateralism.
On 14 December 2022, Malaysia and the European Union formalised their relationship by signing the Malaysia-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. This agreement underscores a mutual dedication to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, guided by key international and EU policy frameworks, notably the Paris Agreement, the Global Gateway Strategy, and the Indo-Pacific Strategy. The collaboration focuses on priority areas such as connectivity, environment and climate change, trade, as well as human rights and security.
Additionally, Malaysia benefits from various multi-country EU programmes and engages in regional cooperation with the EU as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). During the EU-ASEAN summit in December 2022, the EU unveiled plans for a Team Europe investment of approximately EUR 10 billion in South-East Asia. Key initiatives include two Global Gateway flagships with ASEAN: the Green Team Europe Initiatives and the Team Europe Initiative on Sustainable Connectivity.
Our flagship initiatives
- EU-Malaysia Cooperation Facility
The EU-Malaysia Cooperation Facility serves as a comprehensive toolkit designed to enhance EU-Malaysia relations. It facilitates policy dialogues, outreach activities, and strategic partnerships, aiming to foster a deeper understanding and visibility of the EU's global role. This initiative seeks to align EU and Malaysian interests, principles, policies, and values more closely, particularly in areas such as human rights and gender equality, with a special emphasis on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In alignment with the Global Gateway strategy, the EU is backing a project focused on the development of the Port of Lumut, known as the LUMIC project. This initiative is carried out by the economic development agency of the state of Perak, Malaysia (PKNPk), in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (POAB International, a fully owned subsidiary of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium).
- Forest and Land-Use
Malaysia is recognised as one of the countries within the ASEAN region blessed with mega-biodiversity, standing as one of three nations identified as a biodiversity hotspot. This wealth of natural resources plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of millions within the country. In response, Malaysia has implemented policies aimed at conserving its rich biodiversity and tackling global warming, which poses a significant threat to its natural heritage.
EU collaboration with Malaysia on forestry and land management is strategically formulated in close partnership at the state level, ensuring alignment with key EU regulations and frameworks. Notably, this includes the EU Deforestation Regulation (EU DR), which covers key Malaysian agricultural commodities such as palm oil, rubber, and timber. Consequently, cooperation and technical assistance programmes are being tailored to involve these commodities explicitly.
The "Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation through Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains and Improved Forest Governance" (SAFE) project, jointly funded with Germany and executed by GIZ, places Malaysia and Indonesia at the heart of a regional exchange platform. This initiative supports smallholders in aligning with the EU DR requirements and in adopting improved agricultural practices. Additionally, the establishment of the Joint Task Force on EU DR in August 2023, between the EU and the governments of Malaysia (and Indonesia), provides a new platform to identify practical solutions pertinent to the implementation of the EU DR. This collaboration is set to enrich future EU cooperation activities in Malaysia.
- Wildlife Trafficking
Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade significantly contribute to the decline of Malaysia's wildlife populations. Numerous species indigenous to Malaysia and the surrounding region face threats primarily from poaching, driven by both regional and international demand and trade.
To counteract this, the EU has financed an initiative designed to bolster civil society partnerships, enhancing the effectiveness of actions taken by Malaysian (and other Asian) governments to terminate the wildlife trade. The "Partners Against Wildlife Crime" project operates in Malaysia and six additional countries, including the five Mekong countries and China. Its objective is to dismantle illicit supply chains from their origins to the marketplace, targeting key species such as tigers, Asian elephants, Siamese rosewood, and freshwater turtles. In Malaysia, the project specifically focuses on the conservation of tigers, with Endau-Rompin in the State of Johor (southern Peninsula Malaysia) serving as the primary project site.
- Trade-Related Technical Assistance Programme
The ARISE Plus Malaysia programme delivers trade-related technical assistance to foster inclusive and sustainable trade, thereby facilitating ASEAN economic integration. This initiative is designed to bolster institutional capabilities for the formulation and implementation of trade policies in harmony with ASEAN and global commitments. Through targeted training and support for policy development, it seeks to ensure the alignment of regulatory frameworks with international standards.
Furthermore, the programme focuses on enhancing the capacity for developing and implementing a comprehensive quality infrastructure system, encompassing standards, certification, and metrology, in line with both ASEAN and EU standards. Additionally, it aims to promote sustainable production standards and practices within the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
- Civil Society, Governance, Gender and Human Rights
Malaysia has successfully met the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, eradicating poverty. However, significant challenges remain in numerous domains, particularly concerning gender equality, broader inequalities, and climate and environment.
The EU Delegation is actively engaging with civil society actors in Malaysia to address socio-economic disparities and enhance inclusive participation in policymaking for sustainable development. These efforts are also laying the groundwork for advancing gender equality, with a special emphasis on women and youth in all their diversities, including through the EU-Malaysia Gender Action Plan.