Indonesia will officially join the BRICS group of major emerging economies as a full member, the Brazilian government said in a statement on Monday.

The BRICS group originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, but has since expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, had previously expressed interest in joining the group as part of efforts to support emerging economies and serve the interests of the so-called global south.

Brazil, which holds the group’s presidency in 2025, said member states had unanimously approved Indonesia’s accession as part of an expansion plan first approved at the BRICS meeting in Johannesburg in 2023.

Brazil noted that the group had approved Indonesia’s application in 2023, but the Asian country asked to join after last year’s presidential election. Prabowo Subianto became Indonesia’s president in October.

“Indonesia shares with other members of the group support for the reform of global governance institutions and contributes positively to the strengthening of cooperation in the Southern Hemisphere,” the Brazilian government said.