The BRICS countries have agreed to expand the group. Six countries have been invited, starting in 2024. The countries have agreed to expand the group. Apart from Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were also invited.

According to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the countries could join the partnership between South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India and China from 2024. Representatives of the countries are currently in Johannesburg for the three-day summit. Expansion of the group of countries is one important agenda. Agreement has been made on ‘principles, standards, criteria and procedures for the expansion of the BRICS’.

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Leaders of other BRICS countries said they were pleased with this move. According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the current members are “all countries with significant influence” and the expansion represents “a new impetus for cooperation”. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said this cooperation contributed to a new world economic order.

‘Cooperating on further expansion’

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is working with other countries to further expand this partnership. Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked South Africa via video link for the summit and the steps taken. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali spoke on X about ‘an extraordinary moment for Ethiopia’, for the country to become a member. The five BRICS countries have long agreed that expanding is a good thing.

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The only thing that is debatable is how the expansion should be done. By expanding the group, the countries can offset the G7, the cooperation of Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union is also represented in it. Russia was also a member of the group for 20 years starting in 1998, but left after suspension due to the invasion of Crimea in 2014.

More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS, according to South African officials. Of these, 22 have applied for formal membership.