Image source: President Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia

President Joko Widodo departed for Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 20, 2023, to attend the 15th Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Summit. 

The meeting, which gathers major emerging economies countries, will be held for three days from August 22 to 24, 2023, in Johannesburg. 

President Widodo told the press that he would also hold bilateral meetings with the heads of state present. 

"Indonesia was invited to the BRICS Summit. And of course, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, there will be various bilateral meetings with various other heads of state," President Widodo said in a video uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel. 

This Africa trip would be the first for President Widodo since he became the president of the largest economy in Southeast Asia. Other than South Africa, he will be also visiting Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. 

President Widodo’s attendance at the BRICS Summit fuels speculation that the country could join the BRICS as its latest member. 

Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the President Secretariat Bey Machmudin said President Widodo’s presence at the summit has nothing to do with Indonesia's membership status. 

"Mr. President is present at this forum to fulfill an invitation as a guest, namely in the capacity of Indonesia, which currently holds the chairmanship of ASEAN," said Bey. 

BRICS, formally established in 2009, aims to compete with Western economic dominance in world affairs. The members of the organizations consist of 42% of the world's population and account for 23% of global GDP.