Indonesia declares intention to join BRICS

NEW DELHI. Oct 25 (Interfax) - Jakarta has declared its intention to join BRICS, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website on Friday.

"Indonesia has officially expressed its intention to join BRICS during the BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan," the statement said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono described the decision as "a manifestation of our free and active foreign policy," the statement said.

"BRICS' priorities are in line with the Indonesia's new administration's program, including food and energy security, poverty eradication, and human resource development," Sugiono said.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa set up the BRICS group in 2010 (the group was called BRIC since 2006 without South Africa). Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia entered into BRICS in 2024. About 30 countries are aspiring to join the group nowadays.