Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS group, a bloc of emerging economies that includes Russia, China, Brazil, and others, widely seen as a counterweight to Western influence.
Brazil, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the group, announced on Monday that Indonesia would join as a full member. On Tuesday, Indonesia confirmed the decision, stating it “welcomes” the development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta called BRICS membership “a strategic step to improve collaborations and cooperation with other developing nations, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development.” The ministry also expressed its “gratitude to Russia,” which will chair BRICS in 2024, for its “support and leadership in facilitating Indonesia’s joining.”
Brazil’s foreign ministry highlighted the alignment between Indonesia and other BRICS members, saying Southeast Asia’s largest economy “shares the will to reform global governance institutions and contribute positively to cooperation within the Global South.”
Indonesia’s bid to join BRICS was approved at the 2023 summit held in Johannesburg.
