Indonesia is joining BRICS as a full member of the world's emerging economies. Brazil, the founding member and current president of the alliance, said in a statement that Indonesia is officially being made a full member of BRICS to increase the power of emerging economies and protect the interests of the 'Global South' (developing countries in the southern hemisphere of the world).
This information is known from a report of Reuters on Tuesday. Through this, this alliance consisting of Russia, India, China and South Africa is expanding.
Indonesia, the world's fourth largest country by population, has long been interested in joining BRICS. In November last year, the country got the status of 'partner' or associate country of BRICS. The remaining member countries of the alliance also agreed to the inclusion of Indonesia. With the accession of this Southeast Asian country, the number of BRICS member countries stood at 10.
Brazil will chair BRICS in 2025. According to the country, Indonesia's accession to BRICS is part of the expansion initiative adopted at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in 2023. Indonesia's application was approved by BRICS at that time.
However, the Asian country formally requested to join BRICS after Indonesia's presidential election was held last year. The country's new president, Prabowo Subianto, took office last October.
“Indonesia, together with other BRICS members, supports the reform of global governance institutions and plays a positive role in deepening cooperation within the Global South,” the Brazilian government said in a statement.
About 45 percent of the world's total population belongs to this alliance. The amount will increase further with the accession of Indonesia. About 35 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) belongs to these countries.
BRICS, an alliance of emerging economies, was born in response to the formation of the Group of Seven (G7) alliance of developed countries. The alliance is made up of countries that will dominate the global economy by 2050. Its founding member states are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. From January 1, 2024, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates officially became members of BRICS.
