Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS bloc as a full member, further solidifying the group of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The announcement was made by Brazil’s government on Monday, marking a significant step in the group’s expansion.
Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation, has long sought membership in BRICS as a means to bolster collaboration with other developing nations and promote the interests of the Global South.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that it welcomed the announcement and that “BRICS membership is a strategic way to increase collaboration and partnership with other developing nations.”
The expansion of BRICS was first endorsed at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, with the formalisation of new members, including Indonesia, as part of a broader push to enhance the bloc’s global influence.
Brazil, which holds the presidency of BRICS in 2025, confirmed the decision to admit Indonesia by consensus, noting that Jakarta’s bid had received approval in 2023, although the country officially submitted its membership request after the presidential elections held last year. President Prabowo Subianto, who assumed office in October 2024, played a key role in the process.
The Brazilian government highlighted that Indonesia’s entry reflects shared goals within the bloc, particularly in advocating for the reform of global governance institutions. Indonesia’s membership is seen as a positive contribution to the ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation among Global South nations.
BRICS now includes a broader range of countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, signaling the group’s growing influence in the global economic and political landscape. With Indonesia on board, BRICS is poised to further shape international discourse, particularly in the areas of development, governance reform, and global cooperation.
BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS organisation was officially established in 2009 with the first BRICS summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The organisation’s goals include promoting economic and geopolitical integration, coordination, peace, security, and development.
The BRICS organisation has expanded over time, with new members joining in 2024 and 2025
Melissa Enoch
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