Minister Sugiono Calls for Strengthened International Legal Framework at BRICS Forum

Rio de Janeiro: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono attended and delivered a national statement at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil April 28th, 2025 . The meeting discussed strategic issues of global concern, including global and regional political and security developments, global governance reform, and the role of developing countries in strengthening multilateralism.

In the first session entitled ‘The Role of BRICS in Facing Global and Regional Crises and Promoting Peace and Security’, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that BRICS must take a more active and constructive role in promoting peace and upholding global norms. Foreign Minister Sugiono highlighted the situation in Gaza as evidence of the failure of the global community in upholding international humanitarian law.

“BRICS must be at the forefront in fighting for international law. Law enforcement must be fair, consistent, and without double standards. No one is above the law,” Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized in the first session. He emphasized that unilateral actions and violations of international law deepen global distrust and inequality.

“We must protect international legal institutions from selective law enforcement and political interference,” said Minister Sugiono, as quoted from Kemlu go id.

“The orders and fatwas of the International Court of Justice must be respected. The UN Security Council must be given the authority to carry out its mandate effectively,” Minister Sugiono added.

In the second session themed ‘Reforming International Institutions for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’, Minister Sugiono underlined the urgency to make multilateralism more inclusive, transparent, trustworthy, and responsive to global challenges.

Minister Sugiono emphasized the importance of reforming global institutions, including encouraging the expansion of the membership of the UN Security Council, and strengthening the voice of developing countries in international financial institutions.

On that occasion, Indonesia also announced its commitment to join the New Development Bank as a form of support for expanding access to development financing for Global South countries.

Minister Sugiono also emphasized the importance of strengthening the role of WHO in building a resilient global health system, especially in dealing with pandemics and global health crises. Furthermore, Indonesia encouraged reforms in the WTO to be based on the interests of its member countries.

Closing his statement, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that BRICS must be a pioneer in realizing a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. "We must move from vision to real implementation by taking quick and precise steps to realize reforms," ??he said.

On the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministerial Meeting, the Indonesian Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Brazilian Foreign Minister and also a pull-aside meeting with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister and the Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates to discuss strengthening cooperation both in the bilateral and BRICS contexts.