A total of 47 countries have applied to join the BRICS alliance before the 2024 summit. Out of the 47 countries, only 26 nations have formally sent their application to be a part of the grouping. The other 21 countries have informally applied to join the bloc. The 16th summit is scheduled to be held from October 22 to 24 in the Kazan region of Russia.
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For the first time, the extended nine-member bloc will meet at the summit and discuss global issues and trade. The development indicates that emerging economies find the BRICS alliance lucrative as they’ve kick-started the de-dollarization agenda. Read here to know how many sectors in the US will be affected if BRICS ditches the dollar for trade.
On the heels of the upcoming summit, BRICS member Russia has endorsed a new country to join the alliance. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters that the Putin administration is “very happy about,” receiving an application from a new country.
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BRICS Alliance Endorses Azerbaijan’s Application To Join the Bloc
Ryabkov said in a recent press meeting that the BRICS endorses Azerbaijan’s application to be a part of the alliance. The diplomat also called Azerbaijan a “strong candidate” that could make it into the grouping next.
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“We endorse Azerbaijan’s application. We believe that this is a strong candidate, which, after joining the BRICS, will certainly introduce additional dynamics and a unique experience, including the experience of working on multiple agendas simultaneously and in a constructive key, which is very characteristic for the BRICS,” said Ryabkov.
“We are currently working on the partner state category, and we will develop a certain list of partner states for the Kazan summit, in accordance with the orders, given during the summit in Johannesburg last year. There are different options, different algorithms. But once again, we endorse Azerbaijan’s application for accession to the BRICS alliance,” the diplomat summed it up.