BRICS to Welcome at Least 9 New Partner Countries in 2025, Kremlin Reveals

BRICS is an intergovernmental organization established in 2006. Russia's 2024 presidency of BRICS began with the joining of new members. Adding to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia; the latter has not formalized membership but participates in BRICS meetings.
Sputnik
At least nine countries will obtain BRICS partner status on January 1, 2025, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.
According to Ushakov, these include:
Belarus
Bolivia
Cuba
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Malaysia
Thailand
Uganda
Uzbekistan
"But we expect that in the near future, responses will be received from four more countries, to which invitations have also been sent," he added.
The Kremlin clarified that Eritrea is also striving to work with BRICS.
Opinion
BRICS is Not Counterweight to West, but Alternative Model That Attracts Africa, Ugandan Expert Says
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov stated that BRICS is a ray of hope for the countries that do not want to be dictated by the West, suggesting that BRICS facilitates the development of independent, nationally oriented foreign policies for its member states.