The BRICS group of emerging economies has decided by majority vote to pause accepting new members in order to integrate those who joined earlier this year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced, Sputnik reports.
“By an overwhelming majority of votes in ‘the ten,’ it was decided to take a pause on new members and ‘digest’ the newcomers, who have doubled its ranks,” Lavrov said following the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Nizhny Novgorod.
During this pause, BRICS will draft a list of categories for BRICS partner countries, serving as stepping stones toward full membership, Lavrov added. Russia will advocate for Belarus and other “like-minded countries,” he noted.
As of recent reports, over 20 countries have formally applied for BRICS membership, reflecting a growing desire among nations to align with this coalition of emerging economies. This interest underscores the perceived benefits of being part of a group that collectively represents a substantial portion of the world’s population and economic output.
The applicants are diverse, spanning different continents and economic profiles. Their interest in BRICS membership highlights the alliance appeal as a platform for economic cooperation and geopolitical influence.
BRICS has been seen as a counterbalance to Western-dominated economic institutions and as a promoter of a more multipolar world order. The potential expansion of BRICS is therefore significant, as it could enhance the group’s global influence and diversify its economic and geopolitical portfolio.
