DIGIVESTASI - President Prabowo Subianto has expressed no objections to Indonesia joining various global economic groups, such as BRICS and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). Additionally, Prabowo discussed Indonesia's plans to accede to the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) and the IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity).

"We are participating in several groups. For the economy, we are looking for the best opportunities that can boost our economy. We must think about the welfare of the people," Prabowo said after his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as quoted from a video by the Presidential Secretariat.

In the same statement, Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia is always seeking opportunities to strengthen international cooperation, stressing that collaboration is better than conflict. He made these remarks when asked about the South China Sea issue and Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

"We want to work with everyone. We respect global powers, but we will always maintain our sovereignty," Prabowo added.

Previously, Indonesia’s desire to join BRICS was revealed by Foreign Minister Sugiono during the BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23–24, 2024. BRICS is a global economic cooperation organization focused on investment opportunities among its members, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and was founded in 2006.

At the summit, Sugiono emphasized solidarity and commitment to global peace, while also highlighting the crises in Palestine and Lebanon. He proposed several concrete steps to strengthen cooperation between BRICS and the Global South countries.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia’s accession process to the OECD is still ongoing, regardless of the potential BRICS membership. Airlangga, who has been leading the effort to accelerate Indonesia’s OECD membership since President Jokowi’s era, said that Indonesia aims to complete the accession within the next three years.

"We are a non-aligned country, and all OECD members already understand that," Airlangga said during the Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival at the Jakarta Convention Center on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

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