Invited to Attend, Indonesia is Still Studying Membership in BRICS

President Joko Widodo called on developing countries to be solid and encourage equal and inclusive cooperation at the BRICS Summit. Indonesia is still considering its membership in the BRICS.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo attended the 15th BRICS Summit held at the Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday (8/24/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia is still reviewing its participation to become a member of the alliance of countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa or BRICS. However, the spirit of Bandung and solidarity among developing countries must still be voiced. Inclusive and equal cooperation was encouraged at the BRICS Summit.

"We want to study and calculate first. We don't want to rush," said President Joko Widodo regarding Indonesia's plan to join BRICS.

This was conveyed by the President in his statement after attending the 15th BRICS Summit held at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday (24/8/2023).

President Jokowi assesses that Indonesia's relations with BRICS member countries are currently very good, especially in the economic field. However, until now, Indonesia has not submitted an expression of interest which is a requirement for the process of becoming a new BRICS member.

"To become a new BRICS member, a country must submit an expression of interest. Everyone must submit the letter, and until now Indonesia has not submitted the letter," he said.

Read: BRICS Used to be Eliminated Group Now Prepare to Replace G7

In the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue session, President Jokowi reminded of the world's current condition that seems to be moving without a clear leader and compass after the Covid-19 pandemic, global crisis, and food crisis. All of these cannot be overcome by only one country or by a group of countries.

We want to study first, calculate first. We do not want to rush.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

Indonesia is still studying the plan to join BRICS. That was conveyed by President Joko Widodo in his statement after attending the 15th BRICS Summit held at the Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday (24/8/2023).

"My presence today is not only as a leader of Indonesia, but also as a fellow leader of The Global South which represents 85 percent of the world's population who want a win-win formula. My presence here is also based on the desire to continue to revive the Bandung spirit which is still very relevant today, where solidarity, solidity and cooperation between developing countries need to be strengthened," he said.

Accompanying the President include Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

I am here today not only as a leader of Indonesia, but also as a fellow leader of The Global South which represents 85 percent of the world's population who want a win-win formula.

The President also invited developing countries to unite and fight for their rights.

"The discrimination of trade must be rejected, industrial downstreaming must not be hindered. We all must continue to advocate for equal and inclusive cooperation. BRICS can be at the forefront of advocating for development justice and reforming world governance to be more fair," added the President, who was also present as the ASEAN Chairman.

It is also reminded that this cooperation needs to consistently respect international law and human rights. Thus, this cooperation needs to address the current world economic order which is deemed unfair, especially as the development gap widens and the number of poor and hungry people increases. Therefore, according to the President, this situation must not be allowed to persist.

Forest and Downstream

After the BRICS Summit, President Jokowi held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic (RD) Congo Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde at the Sandton Convention Centre. During the meeting, the President said that Indonesia and RD Congo had opportunities to increase cooperation in developing the economic value of forests and could contribute to tackling climate change.

I hope that we can enhance our cooperation on forest management and carbon credit potential development. Indonesia is ready to share experiences on peatland conservation, bioeconomy development, and sustainable forest management.

This is supported by the fact that both countries have the world's largest tropical forests. Indonesia is also ready to share its experiences in peat conservation and sustainable forest management.

BPMI SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo pushed for equal and inclusive cooperation at the 15th BRICS Summit held at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday (24/8/2023). BRICS is expected to be at the forefront of fighting for development justice and reforming a fairer global governance.

"I hope that we can enhance our cooperation in forest management and the development of carbon credit potential. Indonesia is ready to share experiences related to peatland conservation and the development of bioeconomy as well as sustainable forest management," said the President.

The collaboration in developing downstream industries was also discussed in this bilateral meeting. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia are the first and second largest producers of cobalt in the world.

"Indonesia is ready to share experiences and expertise related to downstream ecosystem and will encourage Indonesian SOEs to participate in exploration and investment," added President Jokowi."

Read also: BRICS Is Not a New Hegemon

President Jokowi invited PM Lukonde to encourage the realization of a number of collaborations between Indonesian state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and the Democratic Republic of Congo that are currently being explored.

After attending the BRICS Summit, President Jokowi and his entourage headed to the OR Tambo International Airport to return to their home country.