South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday the invitation of six new countries to join the BRICS group of emerging economies.
BRICS Summit Concludes-Image Source: Sky News
Ramaphosa said at the beginning of the final day of the BRICS summit:
- We have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to become members of BRICS.
- The membership of the new BRICS members will start on January 1, 2024.
- There is agreement on the first stage of BRICS expansion.
- We are ready to seek fair economic solutions.
- We call on international organizations to reach a global agreement on financial policies.
- We emphasize the necessity of peacefully resolving crises.
- The “Johannesburg Declaration” will be issued at the conclusion of the BRICS meetings.
- BRICS leaders confirm respect for international law and United Nations decisions.
On his part, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said:
- I welcome the inclusion of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in BRICS.
- Gross Domestic Product has now risen to 7.2 percent of the global GDP.
- BRICS now includes 46 percent of the world’s population.
- BRICS doors will remain open for new members.
- We have determined the standard procedures for the inclusion of new countries.
- BRICS will become a driver for a new world order.
Following that, Russian President Vladimir Putin said:
- I welcome the new members joining the BRICS group, and we will continue to expand membership.
- I want to emphasize issues of dealing with a common currency, in addition to local currencies.
- We want to ensure constructive and effective cooperation with the new members.
- We will work with anyone willing to work with us through our various programs.
After Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:
- This summit, which lasted for 3 days, has yielded very positive results.
- Expanding the BRICS group is an important decision.
- India has always believed in the necessity of expanding the group.
- Adding new members will strengthen BRICS and give a new momentum to our joint efforts.
- India has deep and long-term relations with all the countries that have joined.
Lastly, Chinese President Xi Jinping said:
- The BRICS countries as a whole have significant influence and bear the responsibility of peace promotion.
- Expanding BRICS membership is a historic event.
- This expansion will mark a new starting point for cooperation among BRICS countries.
- The future will be prosperous and fruitful for BRICS countries.
- We must work together to write a new chapter for developing economies in order to achieve common development.
