Indonesia’s official entry into BRICS received a warm embrace from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who hailed the country as an “old friend” with a historic role in the global South’s push for a fairer world order.
Speaking alongside President Prabowo Subianto at the Planalto Palace in Brasília on Wednesday (July 9, 2025), Lula drew a powerful parallel: “We welcome Indonesia as a BRICS member like opening my home’s door to an old friend.”
Lula highlighted Indonesia’s legacy in the fight for justice among developing nations, recalling the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung. “Seventy years ago, at the Bandung Conference, Indonesia raised the banner for a fairer international order,” he said.
At the same time, Lula praised Prabowo’s speech at the 2025 BRICS Summit, where the Indonesian leader criticized the use of force in international relations and emphasized the need to uphold international law. According to Lula, “Like Brazil, Indonesia has always stated that dialogue is the only way out of the war in Ukraine. I thank President Prabowo for Indonesia’s participation in the Friends of Peace group proposed by China and Brazil.”
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Beyond geopolitics, Lula and Prabowo found common ground on social issues, especially in fighting hunger and poverty. Lula expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s plan to distribute free nutritious meals to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and schoolchildren. “The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, formed during Brazil’s G20 Presidency, will help realize this plan,” Lula said. He also shared insights from Brazil’s own National School Feeding Program (PNAE), a global reference in this field.
Lula went on to underline the shared commitment between Indonesia and Brazil to tackle climate change, a challenge that transcends borders.
On a broader scale, Lula called for deeper ties between South America and Southeast Asia. “I want to thank President Prabowo and Indonesia for their continued support in enhancing relations between Brazil and ASEAN,” he stated.
For Indonesia’s perspective, joining BRICS isn’t just about geopolitics—it’s part of a larger story of solidarity, dialogue, and shared aspirations for a more balanced world. As Lula summed up, Indonesia’s membership honors a friendship rooted in history and aimed at building a just international order for all.
