Brasília – The BRICS, a bloc composed of Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa, announced the expansion of its members this Thursday (24). Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Iran were invited to join the group. The announcement was made by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, in a press conference in the country, where the 15th Summit of Heads of State of the bloc is taking place.
“We decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to become permanent members of BRICS. The new composition will come into effect from January 1, 2024,” said Ramaphosa. “We value the interest of other countries in building a partnership with BRICS,” he added.
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva commented on the bloc’s expansion in his social media profile. “The relevance of the BRICS is confirmed by the growing interest shown by other countries in joining the group. As president Ramaphosa indicated, it is with satisfaction Brazil welcomes to BRICS Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Iran.”
In the opening picture, Lula and Chinese president Xi Jinping at the summit.
“Many claimed BRICS would be too different to forge a shared vision. Experience, however, demonstrates the opposite. Our diversity strengthens the fight for a new order, which accommodates the economic, geographic, and political plurality of the 21st century,” highlighted Lula.
The adhesion of the new members was made official in the Declaration of Johannesburg, a document agreed between the current members of BRICS. “BRICS will remain open to new candidates,” stated Lula to the press alongside Ramaphosa and the other leaders. The present countries of the bloc announced the definition of criteria for the future entry of new nations. The 15th Summit of Heads of State of the BRICS ends this Thursday.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
