By Emmanuel Nduka
Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, Brazil announced Monday, marking a significant expansion for the influential group.
With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s inclusion highlights its growing global role and shared commitment with BRICS nations to reform international governance and enhance South-South cooperation.
Originally founded by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009, with South Africa joining in 2010, BRICS has progressively extended its membership.
Last year, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates were welcomed into the fold. Saudi Arabia has also been invited, though it has yet to formally join.
Heritage Times HT reports that Indonesia’s membership further boosts the BRICS bloc, which now represents nearly 45% of the global population and 35% of global GDP based on purchasing power parity.
As BRICS works to challenge the dominance of the G7, its continued expansion is seen as a move to strengthen the collective voice of the Global South.
Reacting, China expressed its warm congratulations, emphasizing Indonesia’s important role as a leading developing nation.
The country’s official entry into BRICS aligns with the shared goals of global cooperation, multilateralism, and equitable development. Both Brazil and China view Indonesia as a crucial partner in advancing the group’s objectives, particularly in promoting economic resilience, technology collaboration, and global solutions for issues like climate change and public health.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement, underscoring that the country’s active involvement in BRICS will contribute to a more inclusive global order.
Arsjad Rasjid, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, saw the move as a historic opportunity to boost economic ties and innovation within BRICS, driving forward the nation’s economic growth on the global stage.
