In a significant move, BRICS, the coalition of emerging economies, has decided not to expand its core membership for the year 2024. Instead, the alliance has brought in 13 new nations as official partner countries, providing them the opportunity to contribute to BRICS initiatives while working toward potential full membership in the future.
BRICS, which includes current full members Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia, continues to expand its influence as a major force in global economics and geopolitics. The coalition aims to foster a multipolar world, promoting economic collaboration and reducing dependency on Western-dominated institutions.
The new partner countries—Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam—will engage with BRICS on various collaborative initiatives, ranging from trade agreements to infrastructure development projects. While they will not have full voting rights, their inclusion as official partners signals BRICS’s commitment to strengthening ties across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The addition of these countries reflects a gradual, strategic approach to BRICS expansion, allowing the alliance to build relationships and establish compatibility before considering additional full memberships. The coalition’s decision to bring on partner countries underscores its influence and the growing interest from other nations eager to participate in a cooperative global economic framework.
As BRICS continues to grow in size and influence, its emphasis on partnership over immediate full membership marks a careful strategy to maintain stability while embracing an increasingly diverse array of global partners.
Currently, BRICS operates without a permanent single leader, as its presidency rotates annually among its full member nations. For 2024, Russia holds the BRICS presidency, meaning it is responsible for hosting major meetings and setting the agenda for the year. This rotational system allows each member country to influence BRICS initiatives, fostering equal representation and collaborative decision-making across the alliance. GMTNewsng