Indonesia will officially join the emerging economy bloc called BRICS.

Brazil which holds the bloc’s presidency for this year announced that the Southeast Asia country will be a full member. Indonesia’s foreign ministry welcomed the announcement saying that the BRICS membership is a strategic way to increase collaboration and partnership with other developing nations.

Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous nation and had indicated in its interest to join the group as a means of strengthening the interests of the Global South.

The BRICS group also includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

South Africa is one of the core members of the bloc.