Indonesian President attends BRICS Summit, Russian President Putin absent

The Indonesian president has left for South Africa to attend the BRICS summit amid speculation that Indonesia will join the group. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend virtually.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at an international conference. (Source: Reuters)

The Indonesian Presidential Office said that on August 20, President Joko Widodo left for South Africa to attend the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.

The Indonesian President's attendance at the summit comes amid speculation that the Southeast Asian country could become the newest member of the BRICS bloc.

Speaking to reporters before leaving, President Widodo said Indonesia had been invited to attend the BRICS Summit and during the Summit, he would have meetings with other world leaders.

This is Mr. Widodo's first visit to Africa as leader of Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Earlier this week, Mr. Widodo affirmed that the Indonesian government had not decided whether the country would join BRICS or not.

South Africa, as the rotating chair of BRICS, is working towards the organisation of the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg on 22-24 August.

This year's conference has the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”.

This is the first time the BRICS summit has been held in person since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The summit takes place in the context of member countries' efforts towards a multipolar world order, expanding their political influence and increasing their share of global GDP, surpassing the G7.

The rise of BRICS shows the potential for a shift in power from the global North to the global South, challenging US dominance.

Heads of state and government of five member countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will attend this year's BRICS Summit.

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