BRICS Considering Expansion, Receives Numerous Membership Application
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BRICS Expansion: A Multipolar Shift in Global Politics
Beyond the established BRICS group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the quest for a more balanced world order is driving numerous nations to apply for membership. Let's take a closer look at the evolving landscape of this geopolitical coalition.
BRICS: A Challenger to the Status Quo
Founded in 2009, the BRICS grouping has been a powerful advocate for reforms in global structures and norms. Seeking to counter the unequal structures of the Group of Seven (G-7) and the United Nations Security Council, BRICS calls for a multipolar order that reflects the genuine interests of the world's major economies.
With a combined population representing nearly 42% of the global population and controlling 18% of global exports, BRICS' influence on the global economy continues to grow. Since its establishment in 2009, the collective GDP of the five countries has surpassed the share of the G-7 countries in the world, underscoring its significance.
The New Development Bank: BRICS' Economic Clout
In 2015, the BRICS nations established the New Development Bank (NDB) to provide loans for development projects in developing countries, serving as an alternative to Western-based institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
As BRICS gains increasing importance in global politics and economics, membership requests are pouring in from various countries. Among those showing interest in joining are Afghanistan, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Egypt, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
While some countries, such as Argentina, Algeria, Iran, and Egypt, have officially applied for membership, others are expected to follow suit. The BRICS leaders will consider all application requests within the "enlargement agenda" during the August 22-24 Summit.
Partner Countries: The Next in Line
Currently, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan (with partner status since January 2025), and Nigeria (added January 17, 2025) are priority candidates for full membership. Experts suggest Asian and African nations facing U.S. tariff pressures may be drawn to BRICS, though specific names remain unconfirmed.
Recent additions include Indonesia, which became a full member in January 2025, joining Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Ethiopia (2024 entrants).
Preparing for the Future: Institutional Adjustments and Consensus Building
At the Rio de Janeiro ministerial meeting, emphasis was placed on institutional strengthening and consensus-building to accommodate new members. While no official applicants are named, partner countries appear to be next in line, contingent on procedural adjustments for smoother integration.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed that the expansion would "soon continue," signaling accelerated discussions at future summits under Brazil’s 2025 presidency. The upcoming BRICS Summit is expected to be a significant milestone in the cooperative group's expansion.
[Enrichment Data (15% or less of the total content): While no specific countries have officially applied for membership as of the April 2025 BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, partner countries such as Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Nigeria are considered priority candidates. Experts suggest that countries facing U.S. tariff pressures may seek BRICS membership, though no specific names have been confirmed. Recently, Indonesia became a full member, joining Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Ethiopia (2024 entrants). These developments indicate a continued interest in the BRICS alliance and an ongoing process of expansion.]
- Several nations, including Argentina, Algeria, Iran, and Egypt, have officially expressed their intention to join the BRICS group, aiming to balance the global order.
- The New Development Bank, established by BRICS in 2015, provides loans for development projects, acting as an alternative to Western institutions like the IMF and the World Bank.
- Countries like Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and Venezuela are among those that have shown interest in joining BRICS.
- Enlargement discussions within the BRICS leaders are scheduled during the August 22-24 Summit, while Belarus and Nigeria currently hold priority for full membership.
- The Rio de Janeiro ministerial meeting emphasized the need for institutional strengthening and consensus-building to accommodate new members, with partner countries appearing to be next in line.
- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signaled the continuation of BRICS expansion, with accelerated discussions anticipated at future summits under Brazil's 2025 presidency.
- Experts predict that countries facing U.S. tariff pressures may turn to BRICS, with Asian and African nations being potential candidates but no specific names yet confirmed.
- The BRICS group seeks to counter the existing structures of the Group of Seven (G-7) and the United Nations Security Council, advocating for a multipolar order that reflects major economies' genuine interests.
- The collective GDP of BRICS countries surpassed that of the G-7 countries, underscoring their growing importance in global economy and politics.
- The BRICS nations, including Iran and Sudan, control 18% of global exports and represent nearly 42% of the global population.
- In geopolitical, policy-and-legislation, business, and general-news, reports on the BRICS expansion and its geopolitical implications continue to gather attention worldwide.
