Moscow, December 24, 2024 – The Europe Today: Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cuba, Malaysia, Uganda, and Uzbekistan will officially join BRICS as partner countries beginning January 1, 2025, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov announced on Monday (Dec 23).
Speaking at a briefing, Ushakov highlighted the growing global interest in the BRICS alliance, noting that 35 applications had been received ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan.
“Undoubtedly, one of the most important outcomes of the summit was the creation of a new category of BRICS partner countries and the agreement on a list of 13 nations. Invitations were extended to these countries, and nine have confirmed their readiness to join,” Ushakov stated, as reported by Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
Expanding BRICS Influence
The addition of these nine countries marks a significant expansion of BRICS, reflecting its increasing influence as a global platform for cooperation. The organization, which currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, continues to attract interest from nations seeking alignment with its objectives.
Ushakov also noted that responses from four additional invited countries are expected soon, and emphasized that BRICS remains open to welcoming like-minded nations.
“More than 20 countries have expressed interest in the activities of BRICS, and the doors of the association remain open,” Ushakov added, underscoring the inclusive nature of the group.
Strategic Opportunities
This development comes as BRICS positions itself as a key player in shaping global economic and political strategies. The inclusion of new partner states aligns with the group’s goal of fostering greater international cooperation, particularly among emerging economies.
The formal expansion of BRICS to include these nine partner countries in 2025 is anticipated to further enhance its global reach and collective impact on addressing pressing global challenges.
