In an exciting development, the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) recently gathered for a summit in Johannesburg and made a game-changing announcement. Brace yourself for a “historic” expansion of this group of emerging countries, as six new members, including Iran, are set to join from January.
But that’s not all – Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are also hopping on board, taking the group’s global influence to new heights. This move, championed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, promises to reshape the world order.
Chinese President Xi Jinping couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, celebrating this “historic enlargement” and predicting a radiant future for the Brics. Beijing, a heavyweight in the group, championed this expansion wholeheartedly, turning it into the central focus of the 15th summit that kicked off on Tuesday and concludes tonight.
While the summit discussions remain shrouded in secrecy, it’s clear that negotiations took place behind closed doors during a plenary session on Wednesday and in several bilateral meetings.
It’s quite a spectacle – around forty countries from all corners of the globe vied for membership or expressed their eagerness to join. This surge in interest signals the rising influence of emerging nations, and the Brics’ collective economic prowess, contributing to a whopping quarter of the world’s wealth and representing 42% of the global population, underscores this point.
Even Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, couldn’t hide his excitement, labeling it a pivotal moment for his country. “Ethiopia is ready to team up for a world that’s fair and prosperous,” he shared on social media.
The United Arab Emirates echoed the sentiment, with President Mohammed ben Zayed showing respect for the Brics leaders’ vision.
Notably, Egypt joined the chorus, looking forward to amplifying the voice of countries from the South.
It’s a diverse mix in the Brics, united by a common aspiration – to level the playing field globally, especially in response to the dominance of the United States and the European Union.
As the world shifts towards a multipolar order, UN chief Antonio Guterres advocates for modernizing “outdated” multilateral institutions to align better with today’s economic realities. Get ready for a new era on the horizon!