Last Updated: August 24, 2023, 13:32 IST
Johannesburg, South Africa
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday announced that the BRICS grouping has reached a consensus to include six countries including Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the decision while delivering the Johannesburg Declaration.
“BRICS Leaders have reached consensus on the expansion guidelines of admission to BRICS. The following countries will be full members of BRICS with effect from 1 January 2024: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” BRICS Summit’s official social media account wrote on Twitter.
#BRICS | BRICS Leaders have reached consensus on the expansion guidelines of admission to BRICS. The following countries will be full members of BRICS with effect from 1 January 2024:Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.#BRICSSummit2023
— BRICSza (@BRICSza) August 24, 2023
News agency Reuters reported that BRICS faces last-minute negotiations at a leader’s summit, potentially affecting its expansion plans and the aim to enhance the influence of the “Global South” on the global stage.
The proposed expansion of BRICS, currently comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to allow interested nations to join and establish a counterbalance to Western dominance. Disagreements among the leaders over the extent and pace of expansion have been a central topic at the Johannesburg summit, the report said.
South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, announced that BRICS leaders have reached a consensus on expansion mechanisms. However, a country official with direct knowledge of the talks revealed to Reuters that a finalised admission framework has not been signed yet.
China and Russia advocate for BRICS expansion to challenge Western supremacy. Meanwhile, Brazil and India have been strengthening ties with Western powers. Despite aspirations to unite and amplify the voices of developing economies, the diverse economic scales and foreign policy objectives of BRICS countries have posed challenges to consensus-based decision-making.
More than 40 nations have expressed interest in joining BRICS, and 22 have formally applied. The potential candidates include a range of countries from Iran to Argentina, all aiming to reshape the global order.
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