Expert: Indonesia can become an initiator for climate issues within BRICS
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Moch Faisal Karim, an International Relations academic at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), believes the Indonesian Government can act as an initiator regarding environmental issues within the BRICS cooperation forum.
He is optimistic that Indonesia can serve as a bridge between the member nations of the international organisation, given its established track record as a ‘bridge builder’ within ASEAN.
“There is one thing everyone agrees on, which is the environmental issue, the issue of climate change. Here, we must be able to find common ground, and from there, we can move forward together,” said Moch Faisal Karim when contacted by ANT_ARA from Jakarta on Thursday.
He assessed that consolidating BRICS members on economic or political issues would be more difficult for Indonesia because each country has its own specific interests, unlike climate change issues, which have a widespread impact on all countries worldwide.
He also urged the Indonesian Government to be more proactive in voicing its views within the forum, even though Indonesia is not a founding member and only joined at the beginning of January 2025.
“Indonesia is accustomed to creating something; we act as initiators. We hold a position as a ‘norm entrepreneur’ (a party that introduces various new ideas and values into the international system for adoption by member states),” said Faisal.
Beyond environmental issues, Indonesia could also initiate the formation of a formal structure within BRICS.
Hikmahanto Juwana, a Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, stated that, to date, the cooperation forum lacks a founding charter, articles of association, or a central secretariat.
He encouraged the Indonesian Government to take the initiative in preparing a draft of the articles of association, which could make BRICS cooperation more comprehensive and effective.
The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi, India, on 12-13 September 2026. This year, the international cooperation forum carries the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
Indonesia officially joined BRICS as a member on 6 January 2025.