Indonesia considering joining BRICS, says Jokowi

 

Indonesia is still considering becoming a member of BRICS and evaluating its participation, said President Joko Widodo. BRICS is a group of emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

“We want to study the matter first, we don’t want to rush into it,” he said in a statement after attending the 15th BRICS Summit at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday.

While the process of becoming a BRICS member involves submitting a letter of interest, Widodo, who is popularly known as Jokowi, said Indonesia had not done so yet. However, he said the country’s relationship with BRICS member countries is notably positive, particularly economically.

Meanwhile, the BRICS group agreed to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates as new members at the just-concluded summit.

During the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue at the summit, Jokowi urged developing nations to unite and assert their rights.

He highlighted countering trade discrimination, removing hindrances to industrial downstream, and promoting equitable and inclusive cooperation as crucial aspects. Jokowi emphasised the current unfair global economic order, citing a growing disparity between developing and other nations resulting in people’s suffering.

“BRICS has the potential to lead in promoting development justice and reshaping a more equitable global governance,” he said.

Originally founded in 2009 as BRIC, its name was changed to BRICS when South Africa joined the group in 2010.

It aims to enhance cooperation among member countries in economic, political, and social matters.

- Bernama