On January 6, 2025, Indonesia officially joined the BRICS group as its newest full member, marking a significant expansion of this coalition. The announcement was made by Brazil, the current rotating president of BRICS, during its monthly release.
Founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining two years later, BRICS has evolved from its initial purpose of fostering economic collaboration to encompass broader issues including security, governance, and international economics. The entry of Indonesia, with its population of over 270 million people, is seen as a strategic move to bolster cooperation with developing nations.
The announcement highlighted the underlying principles of "equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development" as pivotal to Indonesia's new role within BRICS. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated, "The membership of BRICS is considered a strategic step to increase cooperation and collaboration with other developing countries, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development." This emphasizes Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening ties and working collaboratively on global challenges.
Indonesia's accession was green-lit by all BRICS member countries during the summit held in Johannesburg back in 2023, where the possibility of new members joining was discussed. Brazil expressed its belief, stating, "With its large population and economy, Indonesia will engage with other member countries in advocating for reforms of global governance institutions." Such reforms are aimed at addressing the inefficiencies perceived within existing international frameworks.
The momentum for BRICS has been steadily growing, especially following the recent welcoming of additional members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. While Saudi Arabia is yet to finalize its membership, it has participated in BRICS meetings, which indicates the allure and strategic importance of this coalition of nations. With the expanded membership, BRICS now covers about 3.5 billion people, representing roughly 45% of the global population and accounting for 28% of the world's total economic value, estimated at over $28.5 trillion.
This expansion reflects BRICS's intent to position itself as a counterbalance to Western powers, particularly the United States. A notable concern among BRICS nations has been the reliance on the dollar in international trade. The group advocates for alternatives to the dollar, viewing it as politically manipulated by the U.S. The previous U.S. President Donald Trump threatened punitive tariffs on BRICS members if they moved away from the dollar—an indication of the geopolitical stakes involved.
The Brazilian government under President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva has stated its commitment to enhancing trade facilitation and financial cooperation among BRICS nations. By taking on the presidency of BRICS, Brazil aims to develop alternative payment channels to ease trade among member states. The government's focus is on reducing dependency on traditional financial mechanisms often dominated by developed nations.
Overall, Indonesia's entry is expected to amplify BRICS's voice on the global stage, especially on issues of governance and international cooperation. It also demonstrates Indonesia's proactive stance and commitment to playing a significant role among developing countries, engaging actively with various regional and international issues.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry articulated its gratitude toward Russia, which will assume the BRICS presidency afterward, for facilitating its integration. The newly formed alliance holds promise for enhancing multilateral cooperation and advancing common interests among its members. The increasing size and diversity of BRICS could set the stage for influential dialogues around global challenges, ranging from climate action to economic resilience.
Looking forward to the future, the collective ambition and efforts of BRICS, particularly with Indonesia on board, could reshape global governance frameworks, providing pathways for more inclusive as well as equitable global development initiatives.