Indonesia reaffirms commitment to work closer with BRICS partners

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto reiterated Indonesia's commitment to strengthening cooperation with partners in BRICS, which the country views as a pillar of stability and hope amid current geopolitical challenges.

The president delivered his remarks during the BRICS Leaders Virtual Meeting, which he attended online from his residence in Jakarta on Monday evening (September 8).

"We believe this is the time for BRICS to continue evolving. We fully support the initiatives taken," he said, as published by the Presidential Secretariat.

"We commend the leadership of President Lula, and Indonesia is committed to working more closely with all BRICS members," Prabowo added, referring to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the current chair of BRICS.

The president noted that BRICS members account for more than 40 percent of global GDP and 55 percent of the world’s population. The group also includes countries with significant natural and strategic resources.

Hence, the bloc now represents "the biggest economies, biggest countries in population, and biggest market," according to Prabowo.

"BRICS is emerging as a pillar of stability and strength," he affirmed, while stressing Indonesia’s support for the continuation of the organization, especially amid geopolitical tensions that strain the concept of multilateralism.

The president also urged BRICS partners to work more closely together and "consult each other more."

The virtual meeting was attended by heads of state and senior representatives of BRICS members. It opened with remarks by President Lula of Brazil, who chaired the session.

Lula then yielded the floor to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who became the second and third leaders to present their remarks.

President Prabowo was the fourth leader to present his views and Indonesia's positions on global issues at the meeting.