Indonesia joins BRICS bloc as full member
Indonesia on Monday officially joined the BRICS bloc of developing nations, marking a significant expansion of the group’s global influence.
Indonesia’s entry comes as there is a rising BRICS appeal among emerging economies seeking to challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions, and the development signals a broader shift in global power dynamics as BRICS continues to attract nations from across the Global South.
BRICS, originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa. The alliance, conceived as a counterweight to the Group of Seven, has seen steady growth. Its name derives from an economic term used in the early 2000s to describe rising countries expected to dominate the global economy by 2050.
Last year, it added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates to its ranks, with Saudi Arabia invited to join. Meanwhile, countries like Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied for membership.
The announcement about Indonesia was made on Monday by Brazil, which holds the presidency of BRICS for 2025.
The decision to admit Indonesia, which has a population of 277 million, was endorsed by BRICS leaders during their August 2023 summit. However, Jakarta delayed formalizing its membership until the establishment of its newly elected government last year.
The nation’s inclusion brings a substantial boost to the bloc, which already accounts for nearly 45 percent of the world’s population and 35 percent of global GDP, measured by purchasing power parity.
Brazil’s government said in a statement: “The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia’s entry into the BRICS. With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other members a commitment to reforming global governance institutions and contributes positively to deepening South-South cooperation.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “China welcomes and warmly congratulates Indonesia on becoming a full member of BRICS. Indonesia, as a major developing country and important force in the Global South, highly recognizes the BRICS spirit and has taken an active part in ‘BRICS Plus’ cooperation. Indonesia’s official entry into BRICS serves the common interests of BRICS countries and the Global South, and we believe that Indonesia will make active contribution to the development of BRICS.”
While it’s unclear if Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia will join BRICS, Indonesia’s entry could help BRICS solidify its influence in Southeast Asia, a region of growing strategic and economic importance.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM