BRICS will expand in 2025 with nine new partner states, signaling surging global alignment with the bloc as more nations race to secure ties.
BRICS Expands With New Partner States in 2025
Several countries are set to gain BRICS partner status starting Jan. 1, 2025, following confirmations received by Russia, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov informed reporters on Tuesday.
Referencing the BRICS leaders’ summit in Kazan, Ushakov was quoted by Tass as saying: “One of the important results of the summit was the establishment of the category of BRICS partner countries and coming to terms on a list of 13 states. Invitations were sent to these states.” The Russian official added:
As of this time, confirmations of readiness to become a BRICS partner country have been received from Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan.
“From January 1, 2025, they will officially acquire the status of BRICS partner states. But we expect that in the near future responses will come from four more countries, to which invitations were also sent,” he further explained.
Ushakov noted that Eritrea has shown interest in engaging with BRICS, reflecting a growing list of nations looking to collaborate with the bloc. Representatives from partner countries will be invited to key meetings, including BRICS summits and sessions of foreign ministers. The official elaborated: “We also believe it is right to involve partners in meetings of high representatives in charge of security issues, parliamentary forum and other events.”
Reflecting on Russia’s presidency in BRICS, Ushakov noted Moscow’s efforts to integrate new members into the organization’s framework. He highlighted that Russia had to facilitate BRICS operations in an expanded format “to make sure that the new members of the group harmoniously fit into the customary arrangements, customary ways of interaction.” Ushakov described the process as successful, underscoring the significance of Russia’s role in steering the bloc through a transitional phase.
