Jamal Al-Farouq According to a high-ranking Russian diplomat, the 2024 BRICS summit is expected to witness the participation of more than five leaders. Moscow is signaling its openness to accepting new members into the BRICS bloc, with several nations expressing interest or formally applying for membership.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Ryabkov, stated that the upcoming BRICS summit, to be chaired by Russia in 2024, will likely surpass the current five-member format. The summit’s venue will be Kazan, the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan. Ryabkov emphasized that the decision to expand the organization and the number of participating heads of state remains an open question.
The willingness to welcome new member states demonstrates the Russian Federation’s commitment to the BRICS organization. Enlargement will be a key topic of discussion during this year’s BRICS summit scheduled for Aug. 22 – 24 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in the summit via video link due to an indictment and arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning the war in Ukraine. However, this virtual presence does not indicate a diminished focus on the BRICS forum; rather, it underscores the leadership’s continued dedication to the format, as stated by Ryabkov.
Over the past few months, various official statements and media reports have hinted at a growing interest from numerous countries seeking BRICS membership. Speculations suggest that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Egypt, and Argentina might be among those inducted at the upcoming summit. South Africa’s Anil Sooklal, responsible for BRICS relations, revealed that more than 40 countries are interested in joining the economic bloc, with 22 having already formally applied for membership. It is even anticipated that the organization may eventually expand to include over 50 members.
Given this surge in interest and applications, the question remains: Will BRICS experience significant expansion in the near future? Share your thoughts on this subject in the comments section below.
Table Of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about BRICS expansion
Q: What is the expected number of leaders participating in the 2024 BRICS summit?
A: Moscow expects the number of leaders participating in the 2024 BRICS summit to be greater than five, according to a high-ranking Russian diplomat. The Russian government is open to accepting new members in the BRICS bloc, indicating potential growth.
Q: Where will the 2024 BRICS summit take place and who will chair it?
A: The 2024 BRICS summit will be held in Kazan, the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, and will be chaired by Russia, as it assumes the role of leading the BRICS group of developing economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).
Q: How will Russian President Vladimir Putin participate in the summit?
A: Russian President Vladimir Putin will join the talks via video link due to an indictment and arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the war in Ukraine. This virtual participation does not signal a decrease in attention to BRICS but underscores the leadership’s continued focus on the forum.
Q: How many countries are interested in joining BRICS?
A: More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS economic bloc, with 22 of them having already formally applied for membership. Speculations suggest that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Egypt, and Argentina might be among those inducted at the upcoming summit.
Q: Will BRICS expand significantly in the near future?
A: Given the increasing interest and applications from numerous countries, there are expectations that BRICS may witness significant expansion in the near future. The organization’s enlargement will be a key topic of discussion during the 2024 BRICS summit.
More about BRICS expansion
- Tass: Russian Diplomat’s Statement on BRICS Summit
- Business Standard: Nations Interested in Joining BRICS
- ICC: Indictment and Arrest Warrant for Vladimir Putin
- BRICS Official Website: About BRICS
