Brazil announces Indonesia's entry as full BRICS member
The Brazilian government announced on Monday (Jan. 6) that Indonesia will become the first new full member of BRICS in 2025. Home to over 284 million people, the Asian nation boasts the world's fourth-largest population and ranks as the tenth-largest economy by purchasing power parity, according to the World Bank.
“The Brazilian government congratulates Indonesia on joining BRICS. As the most populous nation and largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia aligns with the group's commitment to reforming global governance institutions and plays a vital role in strengthening cooperation across the Global South—key priorities for Brazil’s BRICS presidency,” stated the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This year, nine countries are expected to join BRICS, including Cuba, Bolivia, Malaysia, and Thailand, either as full members or partners. Brazil assumed the rotating presidency of the international forum on January 1 and will hold the position until December 31.
The Ministry stated that Indonesia's candidacy was endorsed by BRICS during the Johannesburg summit in South Africa in August 2023. However, Indonesia officially confirmed its interest in joining the group only after its presidential elections in 2024.
A total of 13 countries have been invited to join BRICS. Nigeria, Turkey, Algeria and Vietnam are also expected to confirm their membership.
By 2024, BRICS had expanded to ten full members, welcoming five new countries. Initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the bloc added Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia last year.
Although Saudi Arabia has not officially joined the group, it has participated in all the meetings.
