Intergovernmental organization, the BRICS group, has officially expanded its membership, welcoming Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia as new members.
The strategic move is part of BRICS’ commitment to fostering a more diverse and inclusive global order that benefits the Global South and follows the issuance of membership invitations to six countries during the 15th BRICS Summit – held in Johannesburg in August 2023.
Effective from January 1, 2024, the inclusion of these five nations underscores BRICS’ dedication to strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security, emphasized Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of BRICS for 2024.
With these additions, BRICS now represents over 2.5 billion people and boasts a collective gross domestic product exceeding $16 trillion.
