South African Foreign Minister Says Three New Countries Have Joined BRICS Economic Alliance: Report

Three more countries have reportedly joined Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in their economic alliance known as BRICS.

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor tells Russian government-backed RT about BRICS’ expansion ahead of a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg.

The diplomat says countries seeking to join BRICS are drawn to the progressive ideals of the bloc. She says the group focuses on key development issues such as peace and security.

“We’re not standing against anyone; we’re not standing for anybody. We work for the good of the world. We’re not seeking to weaponize the oceans, we’re not seeking to weaponize the forest, and we’re not seeking to weaponize climate change.”

The addition of three more countries brings BRICS’ total membership to eight. Pandor describes the development as “fantastic.”

The foreign minister did not name the bloc’s new member states but South Africa’s BRICS ambassador, Anil Sooklal, previously said that 44 countries want to join the alliance. Sooklal said that BRICS leaders will hold a meeting this month to discuss the onboarding of new members.

The countries that have expressed interest in becoming new members of the BRICS include Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan.

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