BRICS: 14 New Countries Apply to Join Alliance

Joshua Ramos
Source: Modern Diplomacy

Following the six-nation expansion effort that took place at the BRICS 2023 summit, 14 new countries have reportedly applied to join the alliance. Indeed, the new batch of nations is seeking to follow in the footsteps of the five incoming members who will officially join in 2024.

Discussions regarding potential expansion had abounded throughout the year. A host of nations had filled out applications, with only six received the necessary votes to be included. However, of those nations, Argentina had denied the invitation following a regime change in the country’s leadership.

brics summit vladimir putin russia president
Source: Reuters

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14 New Countries Seeking to Join BRICS Next Year?

For much of 2023, the geopolitical sector had been inundated with discourse regarding the BRICS economic alliance. The bloc had seen its de-dollarization initiatives gain a receptive global trade sector. Additionally, they found agreements regarding expansion, with five countries joining the bloc in 2024.

Now, that trend could continue into next year. Specifically, reports have noted that the BRICS bloc has seen 14 new countries seeking entry into the alliance in the coming year. Specifically, those countries include Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Palestine, Senegal, Thailand, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

brics leaders meet
Source: AFP

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Those nations are attempting to be the second wave of expansion nations to join the alliance. Specifically, they would be joining Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Additionally, the 2023 summit featured the aforementioned Argentina, who declined.

The bloc has seemingly been receptive to continued expansion agreements. However, they have not indicated if such expansion invitations would be issued on an annual basis. Still, there is a lot of anticipation brewing regarding next year’s 2024 summit, and what it could mean to the continually crafted multipolar world.