By: Landres Octav Pandega *)
Indonesia’s decision to become a full member of BRICS in early 2025 marks a new era in foreign diplomacy and national development strategy. The 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025, is not merely a ceremonial event, but an important momentum for Indonesia to strengthen the voice of the Global South. President Prabowo Subianto led a high-level delegation to articulate progressive policies in front of the leaders of BRICS member countries.
BRICS, a cooperation bloc that since 2009 has included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has grown to 11 members with the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. Indonesia’s presence expands market potential, resource varieties, and diversification of strategic partners outside the traditional Western path. In the first plenary session entitled “Peace and Security and Global Governance Reform”, Indonesia took the golden opportunity to call for the renewal of the UN mechanism which is currently often hampered by the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
In front of President Prabowo, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that BRICS is the embodiment of the declaration of the Asia-Africa Conference or the Bandung Conference. According to him, BRICS is a manifestation of the Bandung non-aligned movement. BRICS embodies the spirit of Bandung. On that occasion, Lula highlighted the global situation. According to him, the current global situation is facing a multilateralism crisis. Lula then reaffirmed the position of BRICS on the global map. He said that BRICS is the heir to the non-aligned movement.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in his debut at the BRICS forum, President Prabowo brought up the idea of Indonesia as a “bridge builder”, but more importantly is its ability to facilitate multi-party dialogue in order to create an inclusive and just world order. In an official statement, Indonesia emphasized its intention to use BRICS as a platform to fight for more equal global cooperation for developing countries, while continuing to advance national interests in the fields of economics, finance, education, and technology.
The opportunity to push for global governance reform became more concrete when the plenary session shifted to “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Relations, and Artificial Intelligence”. This is where Indonesia can offer two key ideas. First, the development of infrastructure loans through the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB)—an alternative for developing countries that have difficulty accessing funds from Western financial institutions without heavy political conditions. Second, collaboration on AI research to support public sector digitalization, distance education, and the industrial revolution 4.0. If successful, these two initiatives will not only improve domestic welfare but also strengthen Indonesia’s bargaining position in multilateral forums.
Furthermore, Indonesia’s joining BRICS allows for the diversification of trading partners which is very useful in an era of geopolitical uncertainty. Excessive dependence on the United States and the European Union has the potential to make the economy vulnerable to sanctions or a global economic slowdown. By deepening agricultural and commodity trade with Brazil, information technology with India, and energy and mining industries with Russia and South Africa, Indonesia is expanding its market share and reducing external risks. At the same time, Indonesia’s geopolitical centrality—as the world’s fourth most populous country and the largest economy in Southeast Asia—provides added value for BRICS members seeking to penetrate the ASEAN market.
From a political philosophy perspective, an active role in BRICS reflects the concept of a sovereign state that does not simply follow the flow of great domination, but also helps drive changes in the world order. The UN Security Council discourse that is hampered by a permanent veto harms the principles of international democracy; therefore, Indonesia’s voice as one of the G20 countries and a full member of BRICS is expected to encourage a more inclusive decision-making mechanism. As expressed by Ahmad Khoirul Umam, Director of the Paramadina Graduate School of Diplomacy, this summit is a strategic momentum to affirm egalitarian multilateralism that does not rely on unilateralism of one or two great powers.
In addition to the global governance agenda, Indonesia can use this opportunity to expand maritime security cooperation. Successfully combating drug smuggling and transnational crime in national waters requires coordination with friendly countries along the Indian Ocean to the Strait of Malacca. BRICS can bridge the establishment of a joint maritime intelligence center, joint exercises for maritime security, and updates to law enforcement standards at maritime borders. This will strengthen Indonesia’s position as an archipelagic country that is responsible for maintainingfor the security of international shipping lanes.
Progressive diplomacy is an ongoing task, not a one-time achievement. Indonesia ensures real contributions to BRICS institutions—whether in funding the NDB, sending experts for AI research, or technical training initiatives for other members. The involvement of the Indonesian private sector and academia in BRICS multinational projects enriches the knowledge base and strengthens innovative capabilities. Consistent implementation of domestic policies fosters the trust of BRICS partners that Indonesia is serious about fighting for the principle of inclusivity.
*) International Relations Observer
