The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro marked a historic milestone as Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian nation to join the bloc as a full member. This expansion comes amid growing calls from young leaders like Celia Annetta, an Indonesian student at Tsinghua University, who urges BRICS to prioritize sustainable development and green energy partnerships.
Annetta highlighted Indonesia's strategic position in the group, stating: “Our natural resources – from nickel to renewable energy potential – can drive eco-friendly innovation if leveraged through BRICS collaboration.” She emphasized how digital technology and infrastructure modernization could help Indonesia balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
The inclusion strengthens BRICS' representation in Global South dialogues, with analysts noting Indonesia's 270-million-strong market adds significant weight to the bloc's economic influence. As Brazil prepares to chair the group in 2025, expectations grow for new initiatives addressing climate resilience and equitable resource management across member states.
