More than 30 countries have applied to join BRICS, a strategic alliance that seeks to reshape global power dynamics and reduce reliance on Western institutions.
This expansion represents a shift towards a multipolar world order, enhancing the geopolitical and economic influence of the BRICS group.
The geopolitical landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as more than 30 countries have officially expressed interest in joining the BRICS alliance, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The announcement, made during the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 22-24, 2024, has sent shockwaves through global circles. The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is now poised to dramatically change the global power structure and challenge the dominance of Western institutions.
BRICS was originally founded in 2009 with the aim of creating an alternative power bloc to Western-dominated economic systems such as the IMF and the WTO. South Africa joined the group in 2010, followed by Ethiopia, Iran and Egypt in 2023. Now, the strategic alliance is set to grow even larger, with dozens of countries lining up to become part of the influential alliance.
According to Putin, this influx of membership applications reflects a historic moment. “We are witnessing a collective desire of many countries to break free from Western domination,” he said at the summit. The growing interest in joining BRICS is largely driven by a shared vision of reshaping the current world order into a multipolar one, where power is more fairly distributed among different regions of the world.
BRICS Expansion: Economic and Geopolitical Motivations
The potential expansion of BRICS is driven not only by economic interests, but also by important geopolitical factors. For many countries, joining BRICS provides an opportunity to diversify their economic partnerships, especially reducing their dependence on the US dollar and reducing their exposure to Western economic sanctions. Putin noted that BRICS has become a “symbol of resistance” to the current economic order, highlighting how sanctions and protectionist policies have strained the global economy.
This expansion could also lead to major changes in how global trade is conducted. Several BRICS countries, including Russia and China, have been working on alternative payment systems that bypass Western financial infrastructure, potentially reducing the role of the dollar in international transactions. The group’s ability to create such systems could weaken the grip of Western financial institutions on global trade.
Beyond economics, the BRICS expansion has major geopolitical implications. Russia and China, the dominant powers within BRICS, are using the alliance to assert their influence in the face of growing tensions with the United States and its allies. Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of maintaining unity within the BRICS bloc, especially as international conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, continue to escalate. Xi stressed the need for BRICS countries to mediate and resolve disputes, noting that some member states have already made such proposals.
The inclusion of countries such as Iran and Egypt in BRICS would enhance the group’s influence in strategically important regions such as the Middle East and Africa. This could lead to a reorganization of global geopolitical balances, as BRICS member states begin to exercise greater influence in these regions. In addition, the expansion of the BRICS alliance could transform international trade relations, as the group works to develop mechanisms to circumvent Western sanctions and promote alternative global economic networks.
In conclusion, the unprecedented expansion of BRICS represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of international relations. With more than 30 countries now seeking membership, the group is laying the foundation for a multipolar world order that will reshape the future of global governance. The challenge going forward will be to ensure that BRICS is able to navigate the divergent interests of its members while maintaining its strategic cohesion amid a rapidly changing global environment.
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