Azerbaijan expresses interest in BRICS membership

Sahiba Ghafarova, Chairwoman of the 6th convocation of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament), stated Azerbaijan's intention to seek full membership in BRICS during her address at the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

"Azerbaijan pursues a foreign policy based on dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity, both bilaterally and within international platforms. This commitment extends to our cooperation with BRICS. Azerbaijan has already expressed its desire to join BRICS," Ghafarova emphasized, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

She highlighted that enhancing cooperation at the parliamentary level will support Azerbaijan's goal of becoming a member of BRICS.

BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Originally identified to highlight investment opportunities, the grouping evolved into an actual geopolitical bloc, with their governments meeting annually at formal summits and coordinating multilateral policies since 2009. Bilateral relations among BRICS are conducted mainly on the basis of non-interference, equality, and mutual benefit.

The founding countries of Brazil, Russia, India, and China held the first summit in Yekaterinburg in 2009, with South Africa joining the bloc a year later.

Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates joined the organization on January 1, 2024.