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HOME > News > Indonesia Expresses Intention to Join BRICS, Reaffirms Support for Advancing Developing Countries' Interests
Published: 25 October,2024 | Updated: 25 October,2024
Indonesia Expresses Intention to Join BRICS, Reaffirms Support for Advancing Developing Countries' Interests

Kazan, October 24 (AseanAll)  — Indonesia has officially expressed its intention to join BRICS during the BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, Russia. The announcement has marked the beginning of the process of Indonesia to be become a BRICS member.

As the President’s Special Envoy for the Summit, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia delivered the President's message emphasizing anti-colonialism and anti-oppression. In particular, Sugiono underscored solidarity and commitment to global peace, highlighting the ongoing crises in Palestine and Lebanon. "Indonesia cannot remain silent while these atrocities continue without impunity," said the Foreign Minister. Indonesia called for a ceasefire, the enforcement of international law, and the importance of sustained support for Gaza's recovery.

Furthermore, the Foreign Minister proposed several concrete steps to strengthen cooperation between BRICS and the Global South. 

First, upholding the right to development; developing countries need policy space, while advanced economies must honor their commitments.

Second, reforming the multilateral system to be more inclusive, representative, and aligned with current realities. International institutions must be strengthened and adequately resourced to fulfill their mandates.

Lastly, BRICS has to be a force for unity and solidarity among the Global South countries. BRICS can be a unifying platform to strengthen cooperation among developing countries.

"Indonesia's decision to apply to join BRICS is a manifestation of our free and active foreign policy," said Foreign Minister Sugiono. "It does not mean we align with any specific bloc, but rather that we actively participate in all forums."

“We also view that BRICS' priorities are in line with the Indonesia’s new administration’s program, including food and energy security, poverty eradication, and human resource development,” added the Foreign Minister.

By joining BRICS, Indonesia seeks to elevate the common interests of developing countries or the Global South. "We view BRICS as the right platform to discuss and advance the shared interests of the Global South," said Foreign Minister Sugiono. "However, we will also maintain our engagement with other forums and continue discussions with developed countries."

As an example of this continuity, the Foreign Minister said, "Next month, the President will attend the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while I have been invited to participate in the expanded session of the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Fiuggi, Italy." This underscores Indonesia's important role as a bridge builder between developing and developed countries.

During his time in Kazan, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono also had the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings, particularly with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as the host country of the meeting, as well as other countries, including the Secretary-General of the PLO of Palestine, the Foreign Ministers of China, India, Thailand, the Minister of Economy of Malaysia, and the President of the New Development Bank. Additionally, the Foreign Minister held introductory phone discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Singapore and Cambodia.

BRICS is an informal group initially consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The group was first initiated in 2006 to discuss current global issues. Its membership expanded in 2023 with the inclusion of Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.