BRICS Group of Developing Nations Expands Membership to Promote Global South

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) — Leaders of the BRICS group of developing nations have invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates to join, in a move aimed at growing the clout of a bloc that has pledged to champion the Global South.

Expansion could also pave the way for dozens of interested countries seeking admission to BRICS — currently consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — at a time when geopolitical polarization is spurring efforts by Beijing and Moscow to forge it into a viable counterweight to the West.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting a summit of BRICS leaders, announced on Thursday that the new candidates would be admitted as members on Jan. 1, 2024.

The debate over enlargement has topped the agenda at the three-day summit taking place in Johannesburg. While all BRICS members publicly expressed support for growing the bloc, there were divisions among the leaders over the extent and speed of expansion.

Despite encompassing approximately 40% of the world’s population and a quarter of global gross domestic product, BRICS members’ lack of a cohesive vision for the bloc has limited their influence as a global political and economic player.

Over 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, according to South African officials, and 22 have formally requested admission.

These potential candidates represent a diverse group motivated primarily by a desire to level the global playing field, which many perceive as being rigged against them. They are attracted by BRICS’ promise to rebalance the existing global order.