2023 Was arguably one of the most significant years for the BRICS bloc of emerging economies in the world.
What started as an acronym by Goldman Sach economist Jim O’Neil in 2001 expanded to include six new countries this year.
According to Investopedia, O’Neil believed the four major BRICS economies, Brazil, Russia, India and China, would dominate by 2050. South Africa was added to the list in 2010.
BRICS’ mission is to deepen economic cooperation between the member countries and stand in contrast to the Western sphere of power.
2023 – The year BRICS expanded
The BRICS Summit 2023, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22 to 24, 2023, under South Africa’s chairmanship, highlighted several significant outcomes for the organisation, chief among them the bloc’s two-phased expansion.
During the 13th BRICS Summit, 2023 Chairperson, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, hosted over 40 heads of state, most from the African continent and the Global South.
At one point, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s physical attendance threatened to derail events.
South Africa is a signatory to the Rome Statute.
The country was under international and domestic obligation to arrest the Russian leader for war crimes as per an International Criminal Court warrant.
But Putin decided to skip the conference, allowing South Africa to side-step a diplomatic farce.
The three-day event focused mainly on the importance of multilateralism, sustainable development, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in addressing war crimes.
But BRICS leaders saved the best for last when they unanimously invited six countries to become full members. These include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to these countries, a total of 14 countries have formally applied to join BRICS:
- Algeria (applied in 2022) (Expected to join in 2nd expansion round)
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh (applied in 2023)
- Belarus (applied in 2023)
- Bolivia (applied in 2023)
- Cuba (applied in 2023)
- Honduras (applied in 2023)
- Kazakhstan (applied in 2023)
- Kuwait (applied in 2023)
- Pakistan (applied in 2023)
- Palestine (applied in 2023)
- Senegal (applied in 2023)
- Thailand
- Venezuela (applied in 2023)
- Vietnam (applied in 2023)
- Nigeria
Over 20 more countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, including:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Comoros
- DR Congo
- Gabon
- Guinea-Bissau
- Libya
- Mexico
- Myanmar
- Nicaragua
- Serbia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Somalia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Zimbabwe
Argentina, under new leadership, snubs invite
Newly elected Argentinian President Javier Melei’s government departed from its predecessor, who wrote a letter of motivation to join BRICS as part of phase one of the bloc’s expansion.
Incoming Foreign Minister Diana Mondino announced the decision, signalling a significant shift in Argentina’s foreign policy under Milei.
The rejection comes as part of Milei’s broader plan to overhaul Argentina’s foreign relations, departing from the country’s anticipated alignment with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Milei’s team emphasised that the decision is not only a divergence from the BRICS alliance but also a strategic move to redefine Argentina’s relationships with its key trading partners, Brazil and China.
The President-elect, known for his previous criticisms of China and threats to sever diplomatic ties, seems to be charting a new course for the country’s international engagements.
While the rejection may have raised eyebrows, Milei has recently tempered his rhetoric concerning China since winning the election, indicating a nuanced approach to diplomatic relations.
ALSO READ: Don’t cry for BRICS: Argentina snubs the emerging bloc despite an exclusive invite from China
Other key points
Multilateralism: The leaders reaffirmed the importance of the G20 in playing the role of the premier multilateral forum in the global governance landscape
Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism: The declaration emphasised the importance of growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism in that order
Progress in BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation: The leaders recognised the progress achieved in implementing the BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation (2021-24) and encouraged further actions to be taken.
Terrorism and Extremism: The leaders expressed strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised the threat emanating from terrorism, extremism conducive to terrorism, and radicalisation.
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): The leaders underlined the need to comply with and strengthen the BTWC and CWC, reiterating their support for ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
Outer Space Activities: The leaders recognised the value of the updated Draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) submitted to the Conference on Disarmament.
