Saudi Arabia and Iran Among Six Nations Invited to Join BRICS #BRICSSummit2023

• damiadeniyi
• August 25, 2023
• News
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The annual summit of the BRICS group, a coalition of major emerging economies, concluded with a historic announcement on August 24, 2023. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that Saudi Arabia and Iran, along with four other nations, have been invited to join BRICS as full members from January 1 next year. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the group’s journey toward reshaping the global world order and diversifying its influence.

BRICS, which currently consists of China, Brazil, South Africa, Russia, and India, operates on the principles of consensus decision-making and collaboration among its members. The guiding principles, standards, criteria, and procedures for this expansion were established during the three-day summit held in Johannesburg, during which the existing BRICS members agreed to welcome these new countries into their fold.

The six nations invited to join BRICS are Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This enlargement is perceived as a strategic move to amplify the voices of the Global South and bring diverse perspectives to the forefront of global discussions. Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed this expansion as historic and a starting point for renewed cooperation within BRICS, emphasizing its potential to enhance global peace and development.

The inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Egypt from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region marks a significant shift, adding fresh dynamics to the group’s geopolitical landscape. The invitation of Argentina was particularly championed by Brazil, further demonstrating the cooperative nature of BRICS.

While the expansion’s exact implications on the global stage remain to be seen, it underscores the collective effort of these nations to assert their influence, promote multipolarity, and reform global governance structures. This decision comes in response to a changing world order and the growing desire for a more equitable representation of countries’ interests.

The journey toward BRICS’ expansion has been a year-long process, reflecting the careful consideration of its core members. The expansion also represents a response to the shifting dynamics of global politics, with some nations facing pushback from Western counterparts in the form of sanctions. However, the consensus reached among the existing members demonstrates a commitment to strengthening the group’s collective influence.