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BRICS is entering a new economic era with a historic expansion planned for January 2025. The group, which brings together some of the largest emerging economies, is preparing to welcome nine new partners, a decisive step in its bid to strengthen itself on the international stage. Such a move comes at a time when geopolitical rivalries are intensifying and traditional alliances are being challenged. By expanding their geographic and strategic reach, the BRICS aim to consolidate their influence, but also to offer a credible alternative to Western-dominated economic models. This shift reflects the reorganization of global economic powers to meet growing expectations for a more balanced and multipolar system.
Historic expansion for a strategic group
The BRICS Summit, held in Kazan from October 22 to 24, 2024, marked a key milestone in the history of this alliance. Indeed, the Kremlin formalized the addition of nine new countries to the status of partners from January 2025. According to Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to the Russian presidency, this decision represents “the first moment for the expansion of the organization.” Participating countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan, illustrating the geographic and economic diversity of the new partners.
This enlargement process reflects the growing attractiveness of the BRICS countries as they seek economic alliances. The invitations, which were sent to a total of 13 states, reflect a strategic desire to expand the bloc’s influence beyond its current members. Yuriy Ushakov also specified that this new status will offer partners privileged access to the group’s main summits as well as ministerial meetings. Within the framework of the Russian Presidency, special efforts are being made to integrate these new members into the valid decision-making mechanisms. Finally, discussions are underway with four more nations, raising expectations for more announcements in the near future.
Towards a redefined global influence
In addition to the nine currently confirmed members, other countries such as Eritrea are showing increasing interest in joining the BRICS bloc. This enthusiasm illustrates the desire of many countries to diversify their economic alliances and find alternatives to frameworks dominated by Western powers. Thanks to their openness to partners from Asia, Africa and Latin America, the BRICS are strengthening their position in the strategic regions of the Global South. This strategy reflects a clear ambition: to redefine the rules of the geopolitical game and rebalance the global balance of power.
The integration of these new partners brings opportunities and challenges. By expanding into economies with different profiles, the bloc could increase its influence in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure and trade. This diversification could also facilitate the development of regional synergies that would strengthen the collective voice of the BRICS in international forums. However, as Yuriy Ushakov pointed out, this process of expansion is not without limitations. Coordination between existing members and new entrants represents a major organizational challenge. To guarantee a harmonious integration, the group will need to adapt its operational mechanisms and maintain efficiency in decision-making. These adjustments will be critical to turning this ambitious expansion into a lasting success.
Such expansion confirms the role of BRICS as a strategic alternative to institutions dominated by major Western powers. This approach, led largely by Russia, reflects a clear desire to rebalance the world economic order. However, the success of this reconfiguration will depend on the bloc’s ability to effectively integrate its new members and maintain a cohesive internal dynamic. The coming months will be crucial in assessing the impact of these accessions on global governance and the ability of the BRICS countries to embody a unified force in a rapidly changing multipolar system.
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A graduate of Sciences Po Toulouse and holder of the blockchain consultant certification issued by Alyra, I joined the Cointribune adventure in 2019. Convinced of the potential of blockchain to transform many sectors of the economy, I made a commitment to raise awareness and inform the general public about this ever-evolving ecosystem. My goal is to enable everyone to better understand blockchain and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. I strive every day to provide an objective analysis of current events, decipher market trends, convey the latest technological innovations, and put into perspective the economic and social issues of this ongoing revolution.
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