By: Natasha Archary

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the intention of BRICS to expand in phases, by inviting 6 countries to join the bloc with effect from 01 January 2024.
Ramaphosa said the 5 BRICS leaders have reached consensus on the first phase of the expansion, and as such have invited Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to become members of BRICS.
“BRICS itself is a diverse group of nations, it is an equal partnership of countries that have differing views but have a shared vision for a better world.
As the 5 BRICS countries, we have reached agreement on the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures of the BRICS expansion process, which has been in discussion for quite a while.
We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process, and other phases will follow.
We have decided to invite the Argentine republic, the Arab republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to become full members of BRICS.
The membership will take effect from 01 January 2024.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the expansion of BRICS with an invite to 6 countries to join the bloc
#BRICSza | H.E. President Ramaphosa . Johannesburg II Declaration adopted . The XV Summit has adopted guiding principles on the BRICS EXPANSION.Following countries invited to join .
— BRICSza (@BRICSza) August 24, 2023
Argentina
Egypt
Ethiopia
Iran
Saudi Arabia
UAE
To take effect from the 1st of January 2024 pic.twitter.com/OOa9uqCXqs
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that BRICS 2024 will be held in Kazan, Russia.
Putin addressed the 15th BRICS Summit currently taking place in Johannesburg via a video link from Moscow, due to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing a warrant for his arrest for war crimes.
The Russian Head of State declared that he will strengthen the bloc’s role and authority under his chairmanship next year.
Also read: WATCH: Modi stops to greet supporters en-route to BRICS



