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Nine countries will officially join BRICS as partner states by Jan. 1, 2025, according to an announcement from the Russian foreign ministry.
In a written statement released on Friday, the ministry recalled that an agreement to establish the "partner state" status was reached during the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia.
The statement noted that Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan have confirmed their participation as partner states starting in 2025.
Invitations have also been extended to four additional countries to join under the same status. If these four countries accept the invitation, the announcement will be made by Brazil, which will hold the BRICS presidency in 2025.
The statement also emphasized plans to foster close collaboration with partner states to ensure their active participation in the bloc's initiatives.
The bloc was officially established in 2009 as an informal platform aimed at balancing the global dominance of the U.S. and Western nations. South Africa joined in 2010, giving the group its current name, BRICS.
Founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa were later joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, expanding the bloc’s total membership to nine.
BRICS continues to hold a significant position in the global economy, with the inclusion of additional partner states further strengthening its influence.
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