Hong Kong CNN —Nearly three dozen countries are seeking entry into the China and Russia-backed BRICS economic group, member state South Africa said Wednesday, weeks after the body expanded its membership for the first time in more than a decade.
Thirty-four countries have submitted an expression of interest in joining the bloc of major emerging economies, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor told reporters, without naming the nations.
BRICS, which since 2011 had been made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, roughly positions itself as the Global South’s answer to the Group of Seven (G7) major developed economies.
The group took shape as a summit-level gathering between Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009 and expanded to include South Africa two years later.
Six new BRICS countries were invited during the 2023 summit last August.
Persons:
Naledi Pandor, Xi Jinping, Putin, Pandor
Organizations:
Hong Kong CNN, African Foreign, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Security Council, Finance
Locations:
China, Hong Kong, Russia, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, Egypt, United States, Washington, Brazil, India, Beijing, Ukraine, Johannesburg, Russian, Kazan, Argentina