During joint press statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subiantothe president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed this Wednesday (22), in Jakartao Brazil’s commitment to a multipolar world and with the economic autonomy of emerging nations.
“We want to trade in our currencies,” stated Lula, defending a new global financial architecture based on multilateralism by economic independencewithout depending on the dollar as the main reference in international transactions.
The speech reinforced the line of Brazilian foreign policy to strengthen South–South partnerships and reduce the vulnerability of developing countries to global exchange rate fluctuations.
Defense of a multipolar world
Lula highlighted that Brazil and Indonesia share similar challengessuch as combating inequality, energy transition and sustainable industrialization. According to him, both countries have a strategic role in the formation of a new multipolar world orderless concentrated in traditional powers.
“We don’t want to be dependent on anyone”, declared the president, when defending a balanced business relationshipin which both sides benefit equally.
The Brazilian leader highlighted that fair economic relations demand partnership and reciprocityand not hierarchy between developed and emerging countries.
“A fair commercial relationship is one in which both countries win,” said Lula, referring to economic cooperation between Brazil and Indonesia.
Trade in local currencies
The proposal to intensify the use of national currencies in bilateral trade had already been debated among BRICS countriesa group that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africaand now there is Indonesia as a strategic partner.
The idea is reduce dependence on the US dollar in international exchanges and stimulate more stable financial flows among emerging economies.
Behind the scenes, Brazilian diplomats claim that the issue will be taken up in multilateral forumslike the G20 and the BRICS Bank (NDB)chaired by former president Dilma Rousseff.
“Brazil and Indonesia are among the largest economies in the Global South. Working with our own currencies is a step towards strengthening our economic sovereignty,” noted a presidential advisor.
Political energy and vitality
In a relaxed tone, Lula surprised the mention your political plans and your disposition for the future.
“I’m going to be 80 years old, but I have the same energy as when I was 30,” he said, drawing laughter from those present.
Soon after, he made a revelation that resonated with journalists and diplomats:
“I will run for a fourth term and we will still meet many times.”
Although the comment was made in a light tone, The speech reignited the debate about the 2026 presidential successionespecially amid internal discussions within the Workers’ Party (PT) about candidacies and alliances.
Sources close to Planalto classified the statement as a sign of political trust and what Lula intends to maintain a leading role on the national and international agenda until the end of his term.
Cooperation and new opportunities
The president also highlighted the economic potential of the bilateral relationship with Indonesia, especially in areas such as energy, defense, technology and sustainability.
“The relationship between Indonesia and Brazil will be extremely valuable,” said Lula, announcing that he intends to take more Brazilian businesspeople to visit Indonesia in the coming months, expanding opportunities for commercial and industrial partnerships.
The Brazilian government sees the Indonesia as a strategic bridge to the Southeast Asian marketa region with more than 600 million consumers and strong economic growth.
In addition to trade in agricultural and mineral commoditiesPalácio do Planalto bets on joint energy transition projectslike biofuels, green hydrogen and solar energy.
“We want to strengthen fair cooperation, with mutual respect, without dependence and with a focus on sustainable development,” said Lula, at the end of the press conference.
Strategic partnership and international scenario
The Jakarta meeting symbolizes the consolidation of the Brazil–Indonesia strategic partnershipstarted in 2023 with Prabowo Subianto’s official visit to Brazil. Both governments have sought deepen economic, diplomatic and environmental dialoguealigning itself on themes such as energy transition, food security and protection of tropical forests.
International analysts highlight that Brazil seeks to project leadership on the South–South axisin line with countries such as Indonesia and India, at the same time as strengthens its position in multilateral forums like the G20 and COP-30scheduled for November 2025 in Belém (PA).
“The world is changing, and emerging economies need to build their future together”, stated Lula, reinforcing the vision of a more balanced and cooperative international system.
📊 Summary of the Brazil–Indonesia declaration:
Local: Jakarta, Indonesia
Leaders: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Prabowo Subianto
Axes of the speech: multipolarity, economic independence and fair cooperation
Proposals: trade in local currencies and strengthening multilateralism
Remarkable quote: “I’m going to run for a fourth term and we’ll still meet often”
Priority sectors: energy, defense, technology and green transition
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/10/23/lula-defende-comercio-em-moedas-locais-e-surpreende-ao-anunciar-que-pretende-disputar-um-quarto-mandato/
