BRICS agreed on expansion mechanism to be announced after summit end

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Aug 2023 20:57

Enlarging BRICS has been one of the top priorities of the bloc summit, but details regarding the criteria for considering candidates were not provided yet.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pose for a photo during the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 23, 2023 (AFP)

During the BRICS summit, South Africa confirmed on Wednesday that the bloc leaders have agreed on mechanisms for considering new members.

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor stated on Ubuntu Radio, "We have agreed on the matter of expansion," adding, "We have a document that we've adopted which sets out guidelines and principles, processes for considering countries that wish to become members of BRICS...That's very positive."

Enlarging BRICS has been one of the top priorities of the bloc summit. Pandor, however, did not provide details regarding the criteria for considering candidates but said that members would make an announcement before the summit ends on Thursday.

Learn more about the bloc that countries in the Global South are applying to join.#BRICS pic.twitter.com/at0aKzzBEq
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 23, 2023

So far, over 40 countries expressed interest in joining and 22 have formally asked to be admitted.

Countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran submitted applications, and countries interested include Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain, and Indonesia - but France was told loud and clear that its President, Emmanuel Macron, was not invited.

China's President Xi Jinping who is an advocate for the expansion, said, "The world is undergoing major shifts, division and regrouping ... it has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation," adding, "Development is an inalienable right of all countries. It is not a privilege reserved for a few".

The head of the European Investment Bank, Werner Hoyer, warned the West on Wednesday that it was losing the confidence of the "Global South" unless it starts amping up more support for poorer nations.

Earlier this month, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the expansion would strengthen the group.

"We believe that in one form or another, the expansion of the BRICS will contribute to the further development and strengthening of this organization. The form, the extent [of the expansion] - this is exactly what we will discuss during the upcoming summit," Peskov told reporters.