World : BRICS expands, new strategic configuration with the accession of five emerging states

BRICS, initially composed of Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded with the inclusion of five new emerging states : Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

This expansion reflects the common desire to strengthen South-South cooperation and offer an alternative to Western leadership in global affairs. Observers applaud this increasing diversification within BRICS, considering it a positive contribution to the evolution of the global South.

Since its accession, Ethiopia has expressed its ambitions, reaffirming its commitment to accelerate its multilateral contribution to international peace, security, and prosperity.

To ensure active participation, a National Ministerial Committee and a Committee of Coordinating Senior Officials will be established, thus ensuring Ethiopia’s dynamic involvement in BRICS bodies.

It is important to note that these five new members are not ordinary regional actors. Each plays a significant role in its respective domain, whether on the economic or political front.

The inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading oil exporter and a leader in the Arab world, as well as the United Arab Emirates, a hub for innovation and economic diversification, further enhances the representativeness and geographic scope of BRICS. This new configuration promises to bring renewed dynamism to this strategic alliance.

Justine Akolatsey