BRICS: INDONESIA REAFFIRMS ACTIVE ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL FORA

JAKARTA, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Indonesia, one of the newly recognised partner nations to BRICS grouping, said the development does not signify the republic’s alignment to any specific bloc, but rather demonstrates its commitment to actively participate in various international platforms.

Indonesia has been recognised as one of the 13 countries officially added as partner nations to BRICS during the two-day BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, Russia, that ended on Thursday.

“The inclusion of Indonesia in BRICS reflects our commitment to an active and independent foreign policy,” said Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono in a statement on Friday.

According to Sugiono, BRICS priorities align with the Indonesian government’s work programme particularly in areas such as food and energy security, poverty eradication, and the advancement of human resources.

BRICS can also serve as an appropriate platform for discussing and promoting the common interests of the Global South, he said.

BRICS was initially formed as “BRIC” comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, in 2009 as a cooperation platform for major emerging economies, and in 2010, South Africa was invited to join, leading to the current name BRICS.

Its membership was expanded in 2023 with the addition of Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

Stating that Indonesia will continue to engage in other international forums and discussions with developed nations, Sugiono said the newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto will attend the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next month, while he has been invited to attend the expanded G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Fiuggi, Italy.

-- BERNAMA