South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that the BRICS group of countries has decided to invite six nations to join as new members: Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In the final statement of the summit, BRICS leaders supported reforms in the United Nations, including the Security Council, to enhance democracy and effectiveness within the organization. A Chinese official revealed that new BRICS members should be emerging economies with significant regional and global influence. Ramaphosa stated that the membership of these countries will take effect from January 1, 2024.
Ramaphosa noted that African countries look to BRICS for assistance in infrastructure and development. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the new members and indicated that Moscow aims to strengthen its relations with African nations, remaining a reliable partner in food and fuel supplies. He added that Russia has over 30 energy projects in African countries, emphasizing that Russian fuel supplies could help African governments cope with rising prices.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva remarked that the interest from other countries to join BRICS highlights the group's importance in establishing a new global economic system, expressing openness to new candidates. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that expanding BRICS will inject new momentum into cooperation among the member states.
Argentinian President Alberto Fernández stated that joining BRICS represents a "great opportunity" for Argentina, which is facing an economic crisis with a weak currency and rising inflation. Meanwhile, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pointed out that Iran's membership in BRICS will reinforce the bloc's opposition to U.S. dominance.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed appreciation for the decision to include the UAE in BRICS, hoping for collaboration for the benefit of all nations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized that Egypt aims to elevate the voice of the Global South regarding various developmental challenges. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed labeled the invitation to join BRICS as a "great moment," asserting Ethiopia's readiness to foster an inclusive global order.
The discussions regarding the enlargement of membership among the BRICS countries have dominated a three-day summit that concluded on Thursday. Although there was prior support among BRICS members for expansion, there were divisions over the number and speed of new memberships. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan pointed out that the kingdom seeks further cooperation with BRICS to develop new economic opportunities and enhance relationships.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived at the summit carrying a straightforward message: in a world fractured by crises, there exists no alternative to cooperation. He noted that for multilateral institutions to remain truly global, they must be reformed to reflect current power dynamics and economic realities, warning that failure to do so would lead to inevitable division.
In the final declaration titled the "Johannesburg Declaration," BRICS leaders expressed concern over unilateral measures adversely affecting developing countries. They reiterated their commitment to enhancing global governance through a more flexible and accountable international system while supporting the use of national currencies in trade. The group also reaffirmed support for the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding the Iranian nuclear file and emphasized the importance of open and fair international trade rooted in World Trade Organization principles.
Furthermore, they called for increased collaboration among BRICS space agencies regarding satellite data exchange and related applications to support economic and social development within BRICS nations. The statement reaffirmed positions regarding the conflict in Ukraine, noting appreciation for mediation efforts aimed at resolving the dispute peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.
