Indonesia foreign minister defends BRICS entry, seeks U.N. reform

Top diplomat says Jakarta can 'bridge interests' of Global South, Indo-Pacific

20250110 Sugiono

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono talks about joining BRICS, United Nations reforms and the South China Sea in his first New Year speech as the top envoy of Southeast Asia's largest economy. © Reuters

NANA SHIBATA, Nikkei staff writer

JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on Friday defended the country's decision to join BRICS and said that Jakarta under President Prabowo Subianto will be "at the forefront" of efforts to reform the United Nations.

Speaking during his first New Year speech since taking office in October, Sugiono responded to criticisms that Indonesia's recent entry into BRICS signaled a pivot toward China and Russia, two founding members of the bloc, which would be a deviation from Jakarta's principle of non-alignment.

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