Prabowo at BRICS Summit 2026: UN Must Be More Representative and Responsive

On September 13, 2026, at the BRICS Summit, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto stated that the United Nations (UN) must be more representative and responsive to the global community. This statement is understood to have focused on the UN's role in the international arena and whether its organizational structure is adequately addressing contemporary global challenges. Minister Prabowo is believed to have stressed the necessity for reforms to ensure the UN more accurately reflects the needs and concerns of diverse nations worldwide, responding swiftly and effectively. BRICS, a group of emerging economies that has expanded its membership to include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is seeking to enhance its influence within international frameworks. Indonesia's advocacy for UN reform in such a forum suggests its ambition to play a more proactive role in shaping the international order. Specifically, the question of whether the voices of developing countries, which constitute a significant portion of the global population, are adequately represented within the UN has been a long-standing issue. Minister Prabowo's remarks appear to clarify Indonesia's stance, which is based on its fundamental foreign policy principle of "free and active diplomacy," aiming to strengthen multilateralism and improve the effectiveness of international organizations. This statement could represent a significant step in the future direction of the United Nations and Indonesia's diplomatic strategy.