BRICS Expands to Include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan Starting January 1, 2025

Dec 27, 2024, 01:14 PM

The BRICS group, originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is set to expand significantly on January 1, 2025, by adding nine new partner countries. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan will join the bloc. This expansion marks a notable shift in the organization's global influence, with the combined membership now representing half of the world's population and approximately 41% of the global economy. The inclusion of these nations is expected to enhance economic diplomacy within the group.