Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS alliance as a full member, as announced by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. The decision follows the approval of its membership request at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg. Indonesia, which waited until completing its presidential elections to proceed, aims to enhance cooperation and forge partnerships with other developing nations. The BRICS, founded in 2009, now also includes Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Analysts view the alliance as a counterweight to institutions like the G7.