Indonesia is seeking a more active role in shaping the rules of the global economy as countries across the Global South confront growing trade tensions, geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to international supply chains.
At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Indonesia emphasized the need for a global economic system that is more inclusive, representative and fair to developing countries. The position reflects Jakarta’s broader effort to ensure that emerging economies have a greater say in determining the rules that govern international trade and finance.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia could not afford to remain a passive recipient of international rules established by more powerful economies. Greater participation in global negotiations, he argued, is essential if developing countries are to ensure that international policies take their interests into account.
The issue has become increasingly important as global trade faces a more fragmented environment. Protectionist measures, tariff disputes, geopolitical conflicts and increasingly vulnerable supply chains have created uncertainty for exporters and importers alike. For Indonesia, greater involvement in international rule-making is therefore not only a diplomatic objective but also an economic necessity.
The BRICS platform provides Indonesia with an important avenue to pursue that agenda. Indonesia formally became a BRICS member in 2025, becoming the first Southeast Asian country to join the grouping. Its participation gives Jakarta a seat at a forum that now brings together major emerging economies across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Economic cooperation was a major component of the 2026 summit. Discussions included strengthening financial cooperation, expanding local-currency settlement mechanisms, building more resilient supply chains and maintaining an open, rules-based trading system. These issues are particularly relevant to Indonesia as it seeks to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce exposure to disruptions in major global markets.
President Prabowo Subianto also placed Indonesia’s position within a wider discussion about reforming global governance. During a session on inclusive global governance and multilateralism, he highlighted the importance of collective resilience, arguing that stronger national economies can provide the foundation for greater regional and international cooperation.
Indonesia also drew on its experience within ASEAN, where regional cooperation has helped countries maintain economic stability despite differences in political and economic systems. Jakarta sees this experience as relevant to BRICS, particularly as the group becomes larger and more diverse.
Prabowo has advocated reforms to major multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and international financial institutions. The objective is to make these institutions more responsive to the realities and interests of developing economies rather than leaving global decision-making concentrated among a relatively small number of established powers.
One area receiving particular attention is the use of local currencies in cross-border transactions. Greater use of national currencies could reduce transaction costs and lessen dependence on the US dollar, although building an effective alternative payment ecosystem would require substantial coordination among member countries.
The summit also highlighted the importance of resilient supply chains. For Indonesia, this creates opportunities to strengthen its position in regional manufacturing, critical minerals, energy and other strategic industries while attracting investment from fellow BRICS members.
Indonesia’s approach, however, is not simply about creating an alternative to the existing global economic order. Jakarta is positioning itself as a bridge between different economic and political interests, with the aim of making multilateral institutions more representative while keeping international trade open and predictable.
The challenge will be turning these ambitions into practical arrangements. BRICS members have different economic structures, currencies, political priorities and relationships with major powers. Greater cooperation will therefore depend on whether the group can translate its broad commitment to a fairer global system into concrete measures that improve trade, investment and financial access.
For Indonesia, active participation in BRICS is ultimately part of a wider strategy to strengthen its influence as an emerging economy. By engaging directly in negotiations over the rules of global commerce, Jakarta hopes to ensure that the interests of developing countries are not merely considered after international rules have been established, but are incorporated into the process from the beginning.
