BRICS Summit: President Prabowo to voice Indonesia's role as bridge builder

 The Indonesian Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that President Prabowo Subianto will highlight Indonesia’s stance and role as a bridge builder during his first-ever participation in the BRICS Summit, which is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“President Prabowo, attending for the first time, will use this opportunity to voice Indonesia’s position as a bridge-builder on various global issues and collective efforts amid growing global uncertainties,” the ministry said in a statement from Jakarta on Sunday (July 6).

Indonesia officially became a full member of BRICS—a global cooperation forum originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009—on January 1, 2025. South Africa joined in 2010, followed by Ethiopia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia in 2024.

As a country that belongs to both the Global South and the G20, Indonesia aims to use the BRICS platform to advocate for more equitable and inclusive global cooperation, while advancing its national interests in sectors such as the economy, finance, education, and technology, the ministry stated.

While in Rio de Janeiro, President Prabowo is also scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings to enhance cooperation in multiple areas.

BRICS leaders are expected to address a wide range of global political and security challenges, including protracted regional conflicts, reforms in global governance, and the strengthening of multilateralism.

The summit will also cover economic and financial cooperation, as well as other pressing global issues such as artificial intelligence governance, environmental protection and climate action, and global health.

Held from July 6 to 7 under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation Toward More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the BRICS Summit is being attended by more than 30 leaders from member states, partner countries, special invitees, and heads of international organizations.

The summit is expected to produce a “Leaders’ Declaration” outlining BRICS' collective positions and commitments on political and security issues, economic and financial matters, and inclusive stakeholder engagement within the BRICS framework.

Since joining BRICS, Indonesia has actively participated in at least 165 meetings, including 20 at the ministerial level.