The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS, are to admit Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates into the group next year.
Chairman of BRICS, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, made the disclosure when he addressed a global news conference, on the sideline of the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Ramaphosa said the full membership of the new countries will take effect from January 1, 2024.
He said: “We have decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirate to become full members of BRICS.”
Also, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister, Ma Zhaoxu, said: “China is looking forward to welcoming new members to join the BRICS family at an early date.”
He challenged BRICS countries to adhere to fairness and justice, self-confidence, self-reliance, autonomy, and self-improvement, strengthen strategic communication and coordination with the majority of developing countries.
Meles Alem, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, on his part, said during a news conference that Ethiopia hoped for a positive decision on its application to join BRICS member states.
