Indonesia Announces Intention to Join BRICS: A New Step in Global Diplomacy
At the BRICS Plus summit held in Kazan, Russia (October 24), Indonesia officially announced its intention to join the BRICS economic alliance.
This decision marks the beginning of Indonesia's journey to become part of a group of emerging economies, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
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Indonesia's Commitment to Global Justice and Peace
At the summit, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono, represented the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, as a special envoy.
He delivered a strong message from the President, highlighting the importance of standing against colonialism and oppression, particularly concerning the ongoing crises in Palestine and Lebanon.
According to the official website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono asserted, “Indonesia will not remain silent while these atrocities continue without accountability.”
The Indonesian government called for an immediate ceasefire and the enforcement of international law, while also stressing the need for sustained support in rebuilding Gaza.
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Strengthening BRICS Cooperation and Supporting the Global South
During the summit, Indonesia also proposed several concrete measures to strengthen BRICS cooperation and support the development of countries in the Global South.
The first key point emphasized the right to sustainable development for developing nations, which need greater policy space. Meanwhile, developed nations are expected to fulfill their commitments to supporting global growth.
Secondly, Indonesia urged reforms in the multilateral system to make it more inclusive and representative of current global realities. International institutions need to be reinforced and equipped with adequate resources to effectively carry out their mandates.
Lastly, Sugiono emphasized that BRICS could serve as an important platform to foster unity and solidarity among Global South countries. “BRICS can act as a binding force for developing nations to strengthen cooperation across various sectors,” he stated.
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Indonesia’s Foreign Policy: Free and Active
According to Sugiono, Indonesia’s aspiration to join BRICS aligns with the country’s principle of an active and independent foreign policy. “Indonesia’s membership in BRICS does not signify an alignment with any particular bloc, but rather our active participation in various international forums,” he stressed.
He also added that BRICS priorities align with Indonesia’s national agenda under the Merah Putih Cabinet, particularly in terms of food and energy security, poverty alleviation, and human resource development.
"BRICS provides a suitable platform to advocate for the shared interests of developing nations, without neglecting our engagement with other global forums," Sugiono added.
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Sustained International Engagement
Indonesia continues to actively engage in various international forums. President Joko Widodo is scheduled to attend the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro next month, while Sugiono has been invited to participate in the G7 expanded session of foreign ministers in Fiuggi, Italy.
These engagements underscore Indonesia’s strategic role as a bridge-builder between developing and developed nations.
On the sidelines of the BRICS Plus summit, Minister Sugiono held several bilateral meetings, including with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Secretary-General of the PLO, and other strategic partners such as China, India, Thailand, and Malaysia.
In addition, Sugiono conducted introductory discussions via phone with the foreign ministers of Singapore and Cambodia.
