Indonesia has become a full member of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, as announced by Brazil, the group's presiding country, on Monday, reports AP.
The inclusion of Indonesia, endorsed by BRICS leaders in August 2023, was confirmed by Brazil's foreign ministry, which holds the group’s presidency for 2025. Despite this endorsement, Indonesia, the fourth most populous nation globally, chose to join the bloc formally only after its newly elected government took office last year, it said.
In a statement, the Brazilian government welcomed Indonesia’s entry, highlighting the country's status as Southeast Asia's largest economy and population. It noted Indonesia's shared commitment with BRICS members to reform global governance institutions and its positive contribution to enhancing South-South cooperation.
On Tuesday, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement emphasising the nation’s increasingly active role in global issues and dedication to strengthening multilateral collaboration. The statement described BRICS membership as a strategic move to enhance partnerships with other developing nations, guided by principles of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development.
Established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS expanded in 2010 to include South Africa. In 2023, the bloc welcomed Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. While Saudi Arabia has been invited to join, it has not yet done so. Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have formally applied for membership, with additional nations expressing interest.
Created as a counterbalance to the Group of Seven, composed of developed nations, BRICS derives its name from an early 2000s economic term predicting the dominance of rising economies by 2050. Before Indonesia joined, the bloc represented approximately 45% of the global population and 35% of the world’s GDP, as measured by purchasing power parity.
