Indonesia welcomed Brazil’s announcement on Tuesday that it has officially joined BRICS, a bloc of major developing economies increasingly viewed as a counterbalance to Western influence.
In a statement on Monday, Brazil’s foreign ministry highlighted Indonesia’s shared vision with other BRICS members to reform global governance institutions and strengthen cooperation within the Global South. Brazil, which will hold the BRICS presidency in 2025, confirmed that Indonesia’s membership bid was approved during the 2023 summit in Johannesburg. Indonesia expressed its gratitude, calling the inclusion a testament to its active role in addressing global challenges.
“This achievement reflects Indonesia’s commitment to fostering multilateral cooperation and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable global structure,” the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.
BRICS Expansion and Strategic Goals
BRICS was originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining the following year. In 2023, the bloc expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Indonesia described its membership as “a strategic step to enhance collaboration with other developing nations, grounded in principles of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development.” Jakarta also extended its “gratitude to Russia,” the 2024 BRICS chair, and Brazil for supporting its accession.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, outlining his priorities for Brazil’s presidency, emphasized strengthening ties within the Global South and reforming multilateral institutions. A key focus will be the development of alternative payment systems to facilitate trade among member nations.
Non-Dollar Trade and US Response
At the November 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, members discussed promoting non-dollar transactions and enhancing the use of local currencies. The initiative drew criticism from US President-elect Donald Trump, who warned of “100 percent tariffs” on BRICS members if they undermined the US dollar’s dominance in international trade.
Upcoming Summit in Rio
The next BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025, where member nations are expected to further address economic cooperation and global governance reforms.
