BRICS Expands, Admits Six New Member Countries in Bid for Global Clout
JOHANNESBURG – In a historic move, the BRICS developing nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – announced on Thursday that they will be expanding their membership to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion is expected to significantly bolster the clout of the bloc as it seeks to rebalance the prevailing world order.
The decision to admit these six new member countries was made during a press conference at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. The expansion not only aims to strengthen the bloc’s position on the global stage but also opens the door for other countries to seek admission in the future.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting the summit, emphasized that BRICS is committed to building a fair, just, inclusive, and prosperous world. He stated that the bloc has embarked on a new chapter in its efforts and that more phases of expansion will follow.
The six candidate countries will officially become members on January 1, 2024. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and President Ramaphosa expressed their willingness to consider admitting additional countries in the future.
The inclusion of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates in BRICS has been met with appreciation and enthusiasm. United Arab Emirates’ President Mohammed bin Zayed, whose country is already a shareholder of the bloc’s New Development Bank, expressed his gratitude for being included in the expansion. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the invitation to join as “a great moment.”
The expansion comes at a time of increasing geopolitical polarization, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s strained relations with the United States. Beijing and Moscow see BRICS as a viable counterweight to the West. The bloc’s growing influence was evident as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the expansion announcement. He echoed BRICS’ call for reforms in global governance structures to reflect the current power and economic realities.
While BRICS has long been seen as falling short of its potential, with differences among its members impeding a unified vision, the recent expansion demonstrates the bloc’s determination for unity and cooperation with other developing countries. Over 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, with 22 formally requesting admission.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the expansion of BRICS should serve as an example to other global institutions, urging them to adapt to changing times. The bloc’s expansion and modernization signal a shift toward a more inclusive global order that addresses the grievances of countries disadvantaged by the current system.
As the BRICS Summit continues in Johannesburg, the debate over enlargement remains at the center of discussions. The admission of these six new member countries marks a significant milestone in the bloc’s evolution and sets the stage for a potentially broader, more diverse alliance aimed at reshaping the global landscape.