JAKARTA: Director General of ASEAN Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, has said that Indonesia is still studying the decision on joining the developing economies alliance BRICS. "Indonesia is studying the membership of BRICS," he said in Jakarta on Friday at a press conference ahead of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Minister's Meeting. Furthermore, Suryodipuro confirmed in a statement carried by Indonesian news agency (ANTARA) that ASEAN members joining other alliances would not affect or reduce the centrality of ASEAN BRICS has expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Russia, which Russia took over the 2024 chairmanship of the bloc on January 1, claimed that 24 countries are hoping to join the bloc. Source: Emirates News Agency