Kazan, October 25, 2024 – The Europe Today: Indonesia has announced its intention to join the BRICS economic bloc, a move Foreign Minister Sugiono confirmed as a reflection of the country’s “free and active” foreign policy principles. Speaking at the BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday, Sugiono emphasized that joining BRICS aligns with Indonesia’s goal to engage broadly across global forums rather than aligning with any specific bloc.
“BRICS presents a platform for Indonesia to advocate for developing nations and the Global South,” Sugiono stated, according to a Foreign Ministry release on Friday. He outlined three strategies to fortify ties between BRICS and the Global South, starting with ensuring sustainable development by holding developed nations accountable to their commitments to the developing world.
Sugiono also called for reform in the multilateral system to ensure it becomes more inclusive and representative of today’s global reality. He urged that international institutions be strengthened with sufficient resources to support equitable progress. Lastly, he highlighted Indonesia’s support for BRICS as a unifying force to strengthen solidarity among developing countries.
The minister noted that Indonesia’s potential BRICS membership would advance key government programs in President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Cabinet, enhancing food and energy security, poverty alleviation, and human resource development.
As a “bridge builder” between the Global South and developed nations, Sugiono affirmed Indonesia’s commitment to broad international engagement. “Next month, the President will attend the G20 Summit in Brazil, and I have been invited to the G7 Foreign Ministers’ expanded session in Italy,” he added.
Sugiono’s attendance at the BRICS Plus Summit as a special envoy for President Prabowo marks his first international engagement as foreign minister. Indonesia, along with Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, has been recognized as a BRICS partner country, though not yet a full member.
