Indonesia will formally join BRICS as a full member, Brazil's government said on Monday, further expanding the group of major emerging economies that also includes Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Holding the rotating presidency of BRICS, Brazil announced Monday that Indonesia has officially joined the international bloc. BRICS, a geopolitical alliance established in 2009, was originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most-populous nation, had previously expressed its desire to join the group as a means of strengthening emerging countries and furthering the interests of the so-called Global South.

As the world’s fourth most populous country, Indonesia had long expressed interest in joining BRICS to strengthen alliances among emerging nations and advance the goals of the Global South.

Indonesia welcomes the announcement from Brazil as the Chair of BRICS in 2025 regarding Indonesia's membership in the bloc.

Brazil's government said in a statement on Monday that Indonesia is formally joining the BRICS group of major emerging economies as a full member. The South American country holds the bloc's presidency in 2025.