BRICS announced the “historic” integration of Argentina and five other countries

BRICS leaders (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) announced the “historic” addition of six new members this Thursday, including Argentina, at a time when the emerging alliance of nations seeks to gain global influence.

Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates will join on January 1, 2024.South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told a press conference with BRICS leaders and representatives on the sidelines of the summit in Johannesburg. “With this summit, BRICS begins a new chapter,” he said.

Messages from leaders

President of Brazil Luis Inacio Lula da SilvaX welcomes and dedicates new members to the platform (exTwitter). “A special message” for Argentine President Alberto FernandezHe described him as “a great friend of Brazil and the developing world”.

I have a special message for my love @alferdez President of Argentina and best friend of Brazil and developing countries.

— Lula (@LulaOfficial) August 24, 2023

Declaring himself very impressed by the maturity of the BRICS and its “relevance confirmed,” Lula pointed out that “diversity (of the bloc) strengthens the struggle for a new order adapted to its economic, geographic and political diversity.” 21st Century”.

“The presence of dozens of leaders from other countries of the Global South at this BRICS meeting shows that the world is much more complex than the Cold War mentality that some want to recover,” he added.

He Chinese President Xi JinpingThe discussions led to a “historic expansion” of the group, predicting a “brighter future for the countries” it creates.

Senior Advisor to the President of Iran Ibrahim Raisi, Mohammad JamshidiFor his part, he pointed out that Iran’s annexation represents a “strategic victory for the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy.”

Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abi AhmedCelebrating the decision, he declared his country’s inclusion in the bloc a “powerful moment” for the African nation.

The United Arab Emirates also welcomed its entry. Your President, Muhammad bin Saeed“I respect the views of BRICS leaders,” AFP news agency reported.

Alliance expansion

The issue of alliance expansion was a priority at the group’s 15th summit, which began Tuesday and ends tonight.

The group’s economic heavyweight China, which accounts for about 70% of the group’s gross domestic product, supported the expansion.

About 40 countries have applied or expressed interest in joining the bloc, which was formed in 2009, accounting for nearly a quarter of GDP and 42% of the world’s population.

But India, another economic power in the alliance, was wary of regional rival China’s ambitions.

Negotiations took place this Wednesday during a plenary session behind closed doors. Since the start of the summit, several bilateral meetings have been held.

India, in the end, supported the expansion, as did its Prime Minister Narendra ModiHe said the enlargement would “give new impetus to our common efforts” and “strengthen the confidence of many countries in a multipolar world order”.

BRICS role in the world

The BRICS demands a more inclusive global balance, especially given the influence of the US and the EU.

“The role and importance of BRICS in the world continues to grow,” the Russian president began, Vladimir PutinThe man, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant for war crimes in Ukraine, spoke at the summit via video conference.

During the meeting, the BRICS reaffirmed their “non-aligned” stance amid divisions resulting from the conflict in Ukraine.

The US pledged to maintain “solid relations” with Brazil, India and South Africa and saw no future “geopolitical rivals” within the BRICS system.