JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesia is seriously considering membership in the BRICS bloc, citing the need to strengthen its position in international politics and the global economy.

The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently expanded to include countries like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesian officials see this membership as an opportunity to actively engage in global agendas such as economic resilience, technological cooperation, and sustainable development.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno highlighted two main reasons for Indonesia’s interest in joining BRICS: geopolitical factors and international economic conditions. The current global landscape, marked by conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, the US-China trade war, and proxy wars in Africa, has created uncertainty, prompting Indonesia to seek organizations that could enhance its international standing.

According to Oegroseno, joining BRICS, alongside Indonesia’s ongoing accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is seen as a strategic move to navigate these global challenges.

The BRICS bloc presents an alternative to Western-dominated international frameworks, offering a platform for emerging economies to collaborate. Indonesia’s participation in BRICS would allow it to influence key issues such as climate change, food security, and global health.

Furthermore, Indonesia intends to use this membership to advocate for a more inclusive and equitable global order, fostering multilateral cooperation based on equality and sustainable development.

While Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is enthusiastic about the opportunities BRICS membership offers, experts caution about potential drawbacks.

Mohammad Faisal, Executive Director of the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia, warned that Indonesia’s membership in BRICS could complicate its bid to join the OECD. With the ongoing tensions between the OECD and BRICS, particularly between the US and BRICS nations, Faisal suggested that Indonesia may face challenges in balancing these two affiliations.