BRICS Leaders Issue Joint Statement And 6 New Countries May Join The Bloc

Alet Pretorius/Pool via Reuters

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) issued a joint statement on August 24, 2023, at the end of their 15th annual summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The statement called for the promotion of sustainable development and multilateralism in the face of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and food insecurity.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They also agreed to work together to strengthen global health governance, promote food security, and address climate change.

In addition, the leaders discussed ways to strengthen BRICS cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, finance, and technology. They also agreed to hold the next BRICS summit in Russia in 2024.

Also, the BRICS countries this Summit invited 6 countries to join the bloc. The invited countries are:

Argentina

Egypt

Ethiopia

Iran

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

The invitation is subject to the approval of the respective governments. If approved, the new members will join the BRICS bloc on January 1, 2024.

The Saudi Arabian government has not yet officially responded to the invitation to join BRICS. However, the country's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, has said that Saudi Arabia is "considering" the invitation.

The expansion of BRICS is seen as a way to strengthen the bloc and give it a more global voice. The new members are all emerging economies with significant potential, and their inclusion is expected to boost BRICS' economic and political clout.

The expansion of BRICS is also seen as a way to counter the influence of the West. The bloc is seen as a potential counterweight to the G7, which is made up of the world's richest countries.

The decision to expand BRICS was not without controversy. Some countries, such as the United States, have expressed concerns about the bloc's growing influence. However, the BRICS countries have defended the expansion, saying that it is a natural progression for the bloc and that it will help to promote global cooperation.

The following are some of the key highlights of the BRICS summit:

• The leaders called for the need to strengthen global health governance in order to prevent future pandemics.

• They also agreed to work together to address food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

• The leaders committed to taking action on climate change, including by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• They also discussed ways to strengthen BRICS cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, finance, and technology.

The BRICS summit was held against the backdrop of a number of global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the war in Ukraine. The leaders' joint statement reflects their commitment to working together to address these challenges and promote sustainable development and multilateralism.

The BRICS summit is an important forum for the five member countries to discuss common challenges and coordinate their responses. The summit also provides an opportunity for the countries to strengthen their cooperation in a number of areas. The 15th BRICS summit was a success, and it is expected that the BRICS countries will continue to work together to promote sustainable development and multilateralism in the years to come.