The BRICS bloc announced that 34 new countries have formally applied to join the alliance, and are all up for consideration. Vladimir Putin, the president of BRICS founder Russia, revealed the development in a statement. The Russian president said that the bloc is looking for organic integration of the newest members of the bloc. Putin added that 34 states have expressed interest in the alliance, and there are active discussions within the bloc on the expansion.
The upcoming BRICS summit will be the likely setting for revealing any new invitees to the bloc, according to Putin. The bloc’s annual summit has become a vital meeting for the group. Moreover, this year’s iteration looks to be filled with the potential for groundbreaking developments to arise. In regards to the newest potential countries, Putin said that a decision will be made at the October summit.
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Putin, BRICS Support Expansion At Upcoming Summit
Expansion has been a hot topic among the BRICS group since its first BRICS+ expansion earlier this year. In 2023, the group enacted its first expansion since 2001. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Ethiopia, and Iran joined the bloc in January 2024. With its members now reaching nine, there are some thoughts that this year could bring even more member nations.
Russia has taken charge of the bloc’s expansion, with Putin recently visiting multiple countries around the world. While the Russian president looks to grow trade relationships with these countries he has visited, he and the BRICS chairmanship have also paid attention to any willingness to join the alliance. The 34 latest countries to express interest in joining the bloc are likely spread across the Eastern Hemisphere. These include those within ASEAN and from the African continent.
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There is value to continued growth, but dissension toward the merit of that value. Currently, the bloc appears split on whether or not a 2024 Summit expansion announcement would be beneficial. Current members have been mixed in their opinions of bringing in more members, with countries like Russia open to new members. Members like Brazil, on the other hand, have hesitated on the concept. Brazil has said that the newest members still need time to integrate before sending out more invites.
Ultimately, the group must come to a consensus agreement at this year’s summit. We may see another 5-10 countries receive invitations to join the bloc. If all of them say yes, we can see the induction of all of these nations in 2025, and the subsequent expansion to an over-10-member bloc.