Indonesia officially became a full member of BRICS in January 2025, marking a historic expansion for the bloc of emerging economies. The move deepens the group’s engagement with Southeast Asia and strengthens its position as a counterweight to Western-dominated global institutions.
Brazil, which holds the rotating presidency, announced Indonesia’s accession on January 6. The Southeast Asian nation became the first from its region to achieve full membership. Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry called the move “a strategic step to improve collaborations and cooperation with other developing nations, based on the principle of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development.”
With a population exceeding 280 million and an economy surpassing $1.3 trillion, Indonesia brings substantial weight to the coalition. BRICS now represents nearly half the world’s population and more than a third of global GDP.
The expansion accompanies the establishment of a “partner country” category under the BRICS+ framework, designed to broaden the bloc’s influence while creating a pathway toward full membership. Russia announced in December 2024 that nine countries would become partner states as of January 1, 2025, though Indonesia’s subsequent elevation to full membership left eight holding partner status by mid-January: Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
Nigeria formally accepted its partnership on January 17, becoming the ninth partner country. Vietnam joined as the tenth in June 2025, bringing additional Southeast Asian representation. Partner nations can participate in BRICS summits and contribute to policy discussions, though they lack the voting rights and hosting privileges reserved for full members.
BRICS leaders endorsed Indonesia’s candidacy at the Johannesburg Summit in August 2023, though then-President Joko Widodo chose not to pursue membership at that time. Following the country’s 2024 presidential election, newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto reversed course. He confirmed his administration’s commitment to joining shortly after taking office in October, with BRICS members approving Indonesia’s accession by consensus.
The expansion reflects BRICS’ evolution from its 2009 origins as a forum for Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2010, and the bloc added four more members on January 1, 2024—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—before welcoming Indonesia as its tenth full member. With partner countries spanning Africa, Asia, and Latin America, BRICS is positioning itself as a leading voice for the Global South in reshaping international governance and challenging Western financial institutions.
