Prabowo Invites BRICS to Leverage the 'Ring of Fire'

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has called on BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) member states to transform the geological feature known as the 'Ring of Fire' from a weakness into a strength. This statement suggests a perspective of reframing the challenges faced by regions prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity as new opportunities. Minister Prabowo implied that by cooperating, BRICS nations can build a collaborative relationship that leverages this geographical characteristic. Specific proposals have not yet been disclosed. However, countries located within the Ring of Fire possess potential resources such as abundant mineral wealth and geothermal energy. Furthermore, technological cooperation to enhance disaster response capabilities and joint development of disaster prevention infrastructure are also conceivable. Indonesia is situated across almost the entire expanse of this Ring of Fire, constantly facing natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. From the nation's perspective, overcoming this geographical characteristic and, instead, converting it into an economic and strategic advantage is of significant importance. Minister Prabowo's appeal to BRICS can be seen as an attempt within an international framework for countries sharing common challenges to cooperate and explore new paths for development.