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The BRICS group — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — on Thursday said it had invited six countries to join its ranks.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on X, the social media profile formerly known as Twitter.
“We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process,” he said, adding that the newcomers would be full members as of January 1 next year.
The move is aimed at increasing the clout of a bloc that has pledged to champion the “Global South.”
The new countries invited are Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
What did BRICS leaders say?
Leaders of the bloc’s five members hailed the decisions in statements following the announcement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Johannesburg it reflected BRICS’ determination for unity and cooperation.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva praised other countries’ interest to join the bloc, adding it was testament to the relevance of its pursuit for a new world economic order. He said BRICS would remain “open to new candidates.”
How did the invited countries react?
The new members also welcomed the invitation.
An Iranian official hailed the new membership as a “historic move.” Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs said on X it was “a strategic victory for Iran’s foreign policy.”
UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed said he appreciated his country’s inclusion in such an “important group.”
“We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world,” he posted on X.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the step as a “great moment” for his country.
“Ethiopia stands ready to cooperate with all for an inclusive and prosperous global order,” Abiy said on X.
rmt/rc (dpa, Reuters)
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