BRICS expansion halted as Brazil prioritizes institutional stability

The expansion of BRICS is currently off the agenda, as the association prioritizes addressing institutional challenges arising from its recent enlargement, according to Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Officials explained that the addition of new members had created institutional complexities, and Brazil’s presidency would focus on resolving these issues rather than further enlarging the group, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media outlets.

Joel Sampaio, spokesperson for Brazil’s Foreign Minister, elaborated on the situation: "Expansion took place during the last two presidencies—South Africa and Russia. Additionally, under Russia’s presidency, 12 countries were invited to join as partner nations. Nine have agreed so far, while three have not yet given a final response. Regarding full membership, Indonesia has just accepted the invitation extended during the Johannesburg summit in 2023."

Meanwhile, Daniel Leitao, Brazil’s BRICS Sherpa representative, emphasized that one of the key priorities for the Brazilian presidency is adapting to the bloc’s recent expansion. This includes fully integrating the newly admitted members into BRICS' working mechanisms and ensuring their smooth participation in decision-making processes.

Founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS expanded in 2010 with the inclusion of South Africa as a counterweight to the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations. The bloc underwent another significant expansion in 2024, adding Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates to its ranks. 

Saudi Arabia has also been invited to join BRICS, while Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have submitted formal membership applications. Several other countries have expressed interest in joining, reflecting the bloc’s growing influence in global affairs.

Brazil assumed the BRICS chairmanship on January 1, 2025, and has outlined its main objectives for the year. Key areas of focus include advocating for global governance reform and strengthening cooperation among countries of the Global South.

The next BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, 2025, where leaders are expected to discuss strategic initiatives, economic collaboration, and the bloc’s evolving role on the international stage.

By Tamilla Hasanova