Egypt’s BRICS Entry: A New Chapter in Global Influence

The BRICS group, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, officially expanded on Monday 1 January, welcoming Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia into its fold. 

This significant expansion, a result of numerous membership requests over the years, underscores the growing importance and influence of the BRICS alliance. The process began recognizing the economic potential and strategic positions of the new members at the Johannesburg Summit in August 2023.

President Vladimir Putin, set to assume the rotating chairmanship of BRICS in 2024, has articulated the group’s commitment to strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security. 

The addition of these five nations amplifies the BRICS group’s economic and political power, boasting a combined population exceeding 2.5 billion and a collective GDP surpassing $16 trillion.