Egypt and Ethiopia are among the five newest members to join BRICS bloc.
“The following countries officially joined BRICS: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt and Iran,” BRICS said on X on January 1, 2024.
BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
It was formed in 2010 by the addition of South Africa to its predecessor called BRIC.
The new five additions officially join the BRICS economic alliance after receiving an initial invitation at the bloc’s 2023 annual summit.
The August event saw each country welcomed as the first expanded effort the alliance has ever embraced.
Argentina was also invited but has since rejected it amidst a regime change.
According to BRICS, the expansion is set to have massive geopolitical ramifications, as they could be hugely important to its multipolar goals.
Bloomberg reported that the alliance already has nearly 30 countries seeking entry to the bloc at its upcoming expansion.
The alliance expects an additional 6 countries to join its ranks at its upcoming annual summit in Russia.