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2023 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg
The 15th BRICS summit will take place from August 22-24 in Johannesburg, South Africa, which assumed the rotating BRICS presidency in January 2023.

Ethiopia's Entry into BRICS Marks New Chapter in Economic and Political Growth, Says Expert

© AFP 2024 AMANUEL SILESHIAn Orthodox deacon waves an Ethiopian flag during the celebrations in the eve of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa on September 26, 2022.
An Orthodox deacon waves an Ethiopian flag during the celebrations in the eve of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa on September 26, 2022.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 24.08.2023
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The 15th BRICS Summit, held in Johannesburg, is closing its doors on Thursday. Two African states – Egypt and Ethiopia – have been invited to become full members of BRICS starting January 1, 2024. In addition to the two African nations, Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to join the bloc early next year.
Ethiopia is poised to embark on a transformative journey as it officially joins the BRICS group, Yasin Ahmed, President of the Ethiopian Institute for Public Diplomacy, told Sputnik following the approval of his country's membership in the prominent economic alliance.
According to the expert, the invitation to become a full member of BRICS, starting from January 1, 2024, presents Ethiopia with an opportunity to diversify its political, economic, and security alliances, while advancing its agricultural sector and forging a new foreign policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

"Ethiopia is officially joining the BRICS. This is just the beginning of a great journey for us. Our country has great political and cultural weight and is striving to develop one of the most promising sectors of the national economy – the agricultural sector," Ahmed told Sputnik.

The international relations expert said that Ethiopia's decision to join BRICS reflects its ambition to play an influential role in regional and global politics, with a focus on fostering multipolar international relations and reducing reliance on the US dollar.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 24.08.2023
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He emphasized that Ethiopia is eager to participate in the creation of a multipolar system that promotes a balanced and inclusive global order.
"I am sure that Ethiopia will reap significant economic and political benefits by joining the BRICS group," he said. "We also want to move away from the dollar and participate in the creation of a multipolar system of international relations."
The country's strategic geographical and geopolitical position in Africa adds significant value to the BRICS group, Ahmed said. Ethiopia is recognized as a key player on the continent, with the potential to contribute to the strengthening of BRICS' influence and cooperation within Africa.
He noted that while maintaining positive relations with Western nations, Ethiopia aspires to become an alternative power center, bridging the gap between cooperation with the West and alignment with the Global South.
"Our country is rightly considered as one of the key players on the continent," the expert stated. "Yes, Ethiopia has quite good relations with Western countries, but it still aspires to be an alternative, multipolar power center. I think we can become the balance point between cooperation with the collective West and unification with the Global South."
A man waves an Ethiopian flag as he join others gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 22, 2022 during a demonstration in support of Ethiopia armed forces. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 24.08.2023
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The 15th BRICS Summit, held in Johannesburg, is closing its doors on Thursday.
Two African states – Egypt and Ethiopia – have been invited to become full members of BRICS starting January 1, 2024, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa stated during the bloc's leaders' speech at a press-conference at the last day of the BRICS summit.
In addition to the two African nations, Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to join the bloc early next year. According to the South African president, the admission of the new members is the first phase of the group's expansion process, as more than 20 countries have officially applied to join the bloc.
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