RI Becomes A Full Member Of BRICS, Coordinating Minister Airlangga: Open Access To Trade And Investment

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (Menko) Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesia has officially become a full member of the economic bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS).

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the joining of Indonesia as a full member of BRICS is expected to further open access to trade and investment.

"Yes, of course, trilaterally with multiple countries, right. Brazil, Russia, India, China. This will open up more trade and investment access," he explained.

According to him, this is good news because it means that Indonesia is now joining a group of countries on Global South.

"It has been accepted by BRICS. So it's good because it means with various countries in global society we have entered the club," he told reporters, Wednesday, January 8.

Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia welcomed the announcement from Brazil as Chair of the 2025 BRICS regarding the joining of Indonesia as a full member of BRICS.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this achievement reflected an increase in Indonesia's active role in the issue of global issues, as well as a commitment to strengthen multilateral cooperation in order to create a more inclusive and just global order.

"Indonesia views its membership in BRICS as a strategic step to increase collaboration and cooperation with other developing countries, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a statement, Tuesday, January 7.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Indonesia is committed to actively contributing to the BRICS agenda, including encouraging economic resilience, technology cooperation, sustainable development, and overcoming global challenges such as climate change, food security, and public health.

According to the BRICS Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it can be an important forum for Indonesia to strengthen South-South cooperation, ensure that the voices and aspirations of South Global countries are heard and represented in the global decision-making process.

"We are fully dedicated to working with all members of BRICS, or with other parties, to create a just, peaceful and prosperous world," he wrote.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its appreciation to Russia as Chair of the 2024 BRICS, for its support and leadership in facilitating Indonesia's joining BRICS, as well as to Brazil as Chair of the 2025 BRICS which has announced Indonesia's participation in the BRICS.

"This membership is the result of Indonesia's active involvement with BRICS over the past few years, including while attending the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in 2023 under the Chairmanship of South Africa, and the 2024 Kazan Summit under the Chairmanship of Russia," explained the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.