Benzinga – As the BRICS coalition of nations prepares for its upcoming annual summit in South Africa, 19 countries have shown interest in becoming members of the group.
The bloc, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, plans to convene in Cape Town from June 2-3 to address the potential expansion, according to South Africa’s ambassador to the group, Anil Sooklal.
Sooklal said in an interview with Bloomberg that the topic of discussion would revolve around “the expansion of BRICS and the modalities of how this will happen.”
He added that “thirteen countries have formally asked to join and another six have asked informally. We are getting applications to join every day.”
The conversation regarding the enlargement of the group began when China, the world’s second-largest economy, served as the BRICS chair last year.
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The move is seen as China’s attempt to strengthen its diplomatic influence and challenge the authority of developed nations within the United Nations.
However, the prospect of expansion has raised concerns among existing members about the potential dilution of their influence, particularly if China’s close allies are admitted.
Notably, China’s GDP is more than double the combined GDP of the other four BRICS nations.
All the foreign ministers from the current member states are confirmed to attend the summit in June, according to Sooklal.
In addition to discussing membership expansion, they will address global “hot spots” such as the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the army and a paramilitary force.
Since the inception of BRIC in 2006, the group has only welcomed one new member, South Africa, in 2010 (changing the acronym to BRICS).
Countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran have formally expressed their interest in joining the group, as Sooklal disclosed in February.
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© 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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