The bloc of developing economies known as BRICS now counts the world's fourth most-populous nations as a full member, expanding its ambition as an alternative to the Group of 20 major economies.
Brazil, which took over the rotating presidency of BRICS for 2025, announced on Monday that Indonesia was admitted to the group by consensus. BRICS leaders endorsed Jakarta's candidacy in 2023.
“The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia’s entry into the BRICS,” the government said. “With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other members of the group a commitment to reforming global governance institutions and contributing positively to the deepening of cooperation in the Global South.”
BRICS, named for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, was created in 2009. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined last year; Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Turkey have formally applied to join.
The bloc also counts Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan as partner countries.
It is vying for influence on the global stage with the G-20, a forum of the world's biggest economies for developing global policies on the most pressing challenges —that also includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The G-20's 19 member countries, plus the African Union and European Union, together represent 85% of global economic output.
This is the fourth time Brazil has held the BRICS presidency, which it aims to use to push for sustainable development with social inclusion and global governance reforms such as expanding the U.N. Security Council. BRICS also has been angling to replace the dollar as the reserve currency in trade among its member countries.
