Brasilia [Brazil]: Brazil, which holds the BRICS presidency for 2025, has announced Indonesia’s inclusion as a full member of the BRICS group. The decision to admit Indonesia was endorsed by BRICS leaders during the Johannesburg Summit in 2023, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement.
Welcoming Indonesia into the bloc, the ministry highlighted the nation’s significance as Southeast Asia’s largest economy and its alignment with BRICS goals. The statement emphasized Indonesia’s shared commitment to reforming global governance institutions and fostering deeper Global South cooperation.
“The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia for its entry into BRICS. As the largest economy and most populous nation in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other BRICS members the support for the reform of global governance institutions and contributes significantly to the deepening of Global South cooperation. These priorities align with Brazil’s presidency theme: ‘Enhancing Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,’” the ministry stated.
Indonesia formally expressed its interest in joining BRICS after the establishment of its new government. The BRICS nations approved Indonesia’s membership in 2024 through consensus, in accordance with the expansion criteria agreed upon at the Johannesburg Summit.
BRICS Evolution:
The BRICS grouping began informally in 2006 when the leaders of Russia, India, and China met on the sidelines of the G8 Outreach Summit in St. Petersburg. The group was formalized later that year at a meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa joined the bloc in 2010, transforming BRIC into BRICS. South Africa’s first participation occurred at the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya, China, in 2011.
In 2024, BRICS expanded further with the inclusion of five new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The 16th BRICS Summit, chaired by Russia in Kazan in 2024, marked this significant enlargement of the bloc.
With Indonesia’s entry, BRICS continues to enhance its representation of emerging economies and its focus on advancing inclusive global governance and South-South cooperation.