BRICS, established in 2009, originally comprised Brazil, Russia, China, and India. Over the years, the organization has grown, welcoming many new countries. Recently, Brazil announced that Indonesia has become a full member of the BRICS group.
Brazil announced that during the 2023 Johannesburg summit, the bloc's leaders endorsed Indonesia's bid. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed approval of Indonesia joining BRICS and noted that Indonesia, along with other BRICS members, backs the reform of global governance bodies.
Brazil's government is pleased with Indonesia joining BRICS. As Southeast Asia's biggest economy and most populous nation, Indonesia aligns with other BRICS members in supporting the reform of global governance institutions and plays a significant role in enhancing cooperation among countries in the global South.
Indonesia joins BRICS
Indonesia officially expressed its intention to join BRICS only after its new government was established.
The statement reveals that in 2024, the BRICS nations collectively endorsed Indonesia's membership, adhering to the guiding principles, criteria, and expansion procedures established in Johannesburg.
When was the first 'summit' held?
The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009. In 2010, at the BRIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New York, it was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS by including South Africa.
South Africa had participated in the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. In 2024, BRICS expanded further with five new members – Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.