Africa (Commonwealth Union)_During their summit in Johannesburg, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) announced a significant expansion of the bloc by integrating six new members starting from January. The new members include Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion is aimed at increasing the influence of the emerging countries’ group on the global stage.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised this “historic enlargement” and expressed optimism about the future of BRICS. China, being the economic heavyweight of the bloc, was supportive of this expansion. The decision to expand was a key focus of the 15th BRICS summit, which took place from Tuesday to Thursday.
The details of the discussions, the criteria for selecting new members, and the support provided were not disclosed. The negotiations were held behind closed doors during plenary sessions and bilateral meetings. Around forty countries from across the world had shown interest in joining or applying for membership, indicating the growing influence of emerging nations.
The BRICS, which collectively generate a quarter of the world’s wealth and represent 42% of the global population, share a common goal of establishing a more balanced global order, especially in terms of countering the influence of the United States and the European Union. The expansion reflects the trend toward a multipolar world, as noted by UN Chief Antonio Guterres, who also called for modernizing outdated multilateral institutions to align with current economic realities.
Link: http://infobrics.org
