The 17th BRICS Summit concluded on July 7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking a milestone for Indonesia as it became the first Southeast Asian nation to join the group as a full member. Earlier this year, on January 6, Brazil, serving as the 2025 rotating chair, officially welcomed Indonesia into the bloc.
Celia Annetta, an Indonesian student at Tsinghua University, says joining BRICS has brought more investment and opened new markets, while supporting the modernization of infrastructure and agriculture back home. As a young global citizen, she hopes future cooperation will center on sustainable development, digital technology and green energy.
Indonesia is rich in natural resources, she explains, and closer ties with other BRICS members could unlock more sustainable ways to harness those assets for broad-based prosperity. By aligning efforts in clean energy and smart solutions, the bloc has a chance to set new standards for inclusive growth.
With youth voices like Annetta’s gaining a platform, the narrative around BRICS cooperation is expanding beyond traditional trade and finance. The focus on green collaboration and tech-driven innovation reflects a generation eager to shape real-world impact across borders.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
