📖 Word of the week: Full member of BRICS

This time we will discuss the term "full member of BRICS". What does it mean to be part of this bloc? Where did the name come from, and how has its composition changed? Let's get to the bottom of it.

🌍 History of BRICS formation

Turning to history, BRICS is an international bloc, the name of which is formed from the first letters of the participating countries: #Brazil, #Russia, #India, #China and South Africa.

BRICS was established in the mid-2000s, and the first meeting of BRIC leaders took place in 2009. A year later, South Africa joined the bloc and BRIC became BRICS.

❔What it means to be a full member

When a country is a full member of BRICS, it officially enters the bloc with the same rights and responsibilities. This ensures participation in joint initiatives, access to economic and political platforms, and opportunities for multidimensional cooperation.

Membership status implies compliance with established rules and participation in key projects, such as new settlement mechanisms, infrastructure development, or financing for sustainable development. In addition, member countries actively support each other's initiatives and develop joint solutions to global challenges.

📊 Expansion of the bloc

Since its inception, BRICS has started to attract the attention of other nations, and the issue of expansion has been raised several times. In 2023, the addition of new member countries was announced at a summit in South Africa. On 1 January 2024, #Egypt, #Iran, the United Arab Emirates (#UAE) and #Ethiopia joined the bloc. An invitation to join has also been extended to Saudi Arabia, but the kingdom is yet to finalise internal procedures to become a full member.

The last event in the history of BRICS was the official accession of #Indonesia on 6 January 2025. Thus, BRICS has not only increased the number of members but also confirmed its status as a key international player.

However, the status of "full member" is only one of the options for participation in the bloc. Alongside this, there is the notion of "partner state", which plays its own role in the interaction with BRICS. We will tell you about this term next time, so that you can better understand the structure and mechanisms of BRICS.

#BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #wordoftheweek

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Growing BRICS shows power shift

BRICS continues its growth, welcoming Indonesia as a full member and adding eight partner nations, highlighting increased global influence and appeal. This milestone signals a shift in world power dynamics, particularly attracting Global South countries.

China remains supportive, expressing readiness for open and inclusive BRICS cooperation, as stated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. At the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, President Xi Jinping urged for high-quality BRICS development and greater cooperation to boost the Global South's role in global governance.

Wang Youming from the China Institute of International Studies stated BRICS' expansion to Southeast Asia, enhancing its influence in global affairs. Zhu Jiejin of Fudan University noted BRICS’ appealing governance model based on equality and mutual respect, emphasised by the New Development Bank's equal voting rights for all members.

Since 2015, the NDB has financed over 100 projects with loans totaling about $35 billion. BRICS nations, rich in resources and technological advantages, have embraced a model of complementary strengths, moving beyond the "winner takes all" approach, according to Liu Ying of the Chongyang Institute. #BRICS is now a key player against protectionism, expanding the global economy.

Economist Alexey Saliychuk praised China for leading innovation and green development in BRICS, noting its achievements in electric vehicles and renewable energy. In October, China announced the BRICS Digital Ecosystem Cooperation Network and encouraged participation to elevate BRICS cooperation.

Lan Qingxin from the University of International Business and Economics highlighted BRICS' open cooperation, attracting more countries amid global power competition and conflicts. An expanded BRICS continues to voice the concerns of Global South nations, advocating for fairness in geopolitical issues.

This is China Daily opinion piece, and these are the personal opinions of the writer. They do not reflect the views of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia

#OPINION #China

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BRICS as a platform for agricultural and food security cooperation

Ethiopia and Brazil, both members of BRICS, have reiterated their dedication to advancing collaboration in agriculture and food security. These efforts align with the agenda of promoting sustainable development among nations.

In Brasilia, a high-level meeting brought together Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Brazil, Leulseged Tadese, and Brazil’s Minister of Social Development and Assistance, Family and Hunger Combat (MDS), Wellington Dias.

Ambassador Leulseged spotlighted Ethiopia’s strides in agricultural transformation and its impactful school feeding programme, which not only enhances education outcomes but also strengthens food security. Minister Wellington Dias commended Ethiopia’s progress and shared Brazil’s success in reducing poverty and hunger.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to addressing shared challenges—such as climate change and food sovereignty—through deeper cooperation. This partnership also reflects BRICS’s mission to foster inclusive and sustainable growth across its member states.

#NEWS #Ethiopia #Brazil #agriculture #security

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Regional digital trade in BRICS

BRICS is reshaping global digital trade with initiatives like the BRICS Pay System and the proposed BRICS Clear financial infrastructure, moving beyond participation to leadership in the global economy.

➖BRICS Pay: secure, cost-effective solution for global digital trade

At the 14th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting in July 2024, the group emphasised the importance of e-commerce in global growth and committed to building a secure, integrated digital trade framework that supports both B2B and B2C transactions. The Kazan Declaration 2024 highlighted the shift towards using local currencies for trade within BRICS, furthering financial cooperation among member nations.

This new approach is especially transformative for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), empowering them to access international markets with fewer barriers. The Kazan Declaration also reinforced the group’s commitment to ensuring trust, transparency, and consumer protections in digital commerce.

➖BRICS Clear: the future of cross-border settlements in digital trade

A key development is the creation of BRICS Clear, an independent cross-border settlement infrastructure. This system will allow #BRICS countries to directly settle transactions, bypassing traditional financial networks and their associated fees. Supported by the New Development Bank (NDB), BRICS is building an internal financial framework to strengthen regional growth and reduce reliance on external systems.

With these initiatives, BRICS is setting a new precedent for independent, secure, and inclusive cross-border e-commerce, fostering economic resilience and empowering emerging markets globally.

#NEWS #finance #technology

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Indonesia to leverage BRICS membership for mining exports

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yuliot Tanjung, announced that Indonesia will capitalise on its BRICS membership to boost exports of mining products, particularly to major markets like China and India.

BRICS, an influential strategic partnership, operates on three key pillars: political-security, economic-financial, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. Its current member states include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

“We can utilise BRICS members for our markets such as India and China; they have large populations with large potential,” Yuliot stated.

Despite this optimism, Yuliot noted that the potential domestic impact of Indonesia’s full BRICS membership on the mining sector is still under review. He emphasised that Indonesia’s decision to join the bloc had been based on comprehensive and strategic evaluations.

Indonesia officially became a #BRICS member following an announcement by Brazil, the 2025 BRICS chairship holder, on January 6, 2025.

According to the ministry, joining BRICS symbolises Indonesia’s growing active role on the global stage and provides an opportunity to strengthen multilateral cooperation for addressing critical global issues.

#NEWS #Indonesia

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South Africa strengthens BRICS ties by simplifying travel for Chinese and Indian tourists

South Africa has taken a significant step by simplifying visa services for tourists from China and India. This initiative reflects South Africa’s efforts to attract more visitors from its #BRICS partners through the Trusted Travel Agency Programme.

Unveiled by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, the programme aims to boost tourism, stimulate economic growth, and create employment. A total of 65 travel agencies have been accredited under this scheme, following a stringent evaluation by the Departments of Home Affairs and Tourism. These trusted agencies, recognised for their expertise and compliance with international standards, are now authorised to facilitate faster visa applications for travellers from China and India.

Set to launch in January 2025, the initiative aims to address the need for more efficient visa processes to attract tourists from two of the world’s largest outbound travel markets. By simplifying procedures, South Africa hopes to tap into these vast tourism markets. Agreements with accredited agencies are being finalised, with the first wave of tourists under this programme expected to arrive shortly.

This move reinforces South Africa’s role as an active member of BRICS, driving partnerships and promoting economic cooperation among member states.

#NEWS #SouthAfrica #China #India #tourism

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Vietnam deepens ties with Russia

During an official visit to Vietnam on January 14-15, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin conveyed greetings and best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Expressing gratitude, the Vietnamese PM highlighted Russia's historical support for Vietnam’s liberation, reunification, and reconstruction. He emphasised that their enduring friendship is built on the commitment to strengthen relations and elevate them to greater heights for future generations.

In the spirit of cooperation, the Vietnamese PM proposed outlining key areas for closer collaboration between both countries. He specifically reflected on the significance of his visit to Russia for the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, where he interacted with President Putin.

"My trip to Russia for the BRICS Plus/Outreach meeting last October was a remarkable experience. I managed to witness the great changes that took place in Russia, I felt Russia's will and spirit. My talks with President [Vladimir] Putin and my discussions with the leadership of the Russian government and ministries left a lasting impression on my colleagues and me. The talks with the Russian president lasted two hours at night - from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the morning," the PM said.

The greetings reflect the shared determination of both countries to enhance cooperation and align their efforts within multilateral platforms like #BRICS. The visit further reinforces the strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam, rooted in mutual respect and a common vision for the future.

#NEWS #Vietnam #Russia

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov summarises results of Russian diplomacy for 2024

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov outlined Moscow’s priorities in international relations during his annual press conference, highlighting the strengthening of partnerships within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Lavrov emphasised the stabilising role of the Russia-China partnership, calling it a cornerstone of modern international stability. He noted that the cooperation between Moscow and Beijing has led to the development of new-type international associations, including the #SCO and #EAEU. He also highlighted the cooperation within #BRICS, which gained momentum in recent years.

"BRICS [...] has become even stronger after the Kazan summit. Indonesia, which we actively supported during the Russian presidency, became a full member. Eight more countries have become partner states. Close cooperation is developing between the SCO and #ASEAN, and many other associations. And all this is happening on the basis of consensus, but of course, the Russian-Chinese tandem contributes to the effective advancement of all these processes with the support of the other participants"

#NEWS #politics #diplomacy

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Lukashenko endorses Belarus' strategies for SCO and BRICS involvement

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has sanctioned the strategies for Belarus' engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS, as reported by the Administration of the Belarus President.

The government's draft proposals for the strategies of Belarus' participation in these international bodies were presented to the president, who has given his approval.

In the summer of 2024, Belarus joined the SCO as a full member and subsequently formalised its status as a BRICS partner state.

The strategy for Belarus' involvement in the #SCO outlines the core areas, goals, and activity plans, along with the mechanisms for their implementation in both the short and medium term. Meanwhile, the #BRICS strategy specifies the main areas of cooperation with member and partner states of the bloc.

Both strategic plans are set to be effective for five years until 2030, with provisions for extensions, updates, and revisions as needed in response to evolving global trends.

#NEWS #Belarus

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🎞New video: exclusive interview from the 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 International School

We're thrilled to share our brand-new video which has been uploaded to the YouTube channel❕

Meet Hossam Shazly from Egypt, a robotics engineer and graduate of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, where he completed his master’s degree. Currently living in Moscow, Hossam shares his experiences attending global youth events like the BRICS Youth Summit and how the BRICS International School is helping him gain knowledge and connections to build his next project.

Passionate about robotics and AI, Hossam explains how these technologies can revolutionise business processes and solve real-world challenges. Discover how young innovators like Hossam are shaping the future of #BRICS and driving technological progress!

Watch the video 🎞

On 🕊➖🕊 October, the BRICS International School opened its doors to young leaders and researchers. The School is a unique event that aims to strengthen cooperation, and it became an influential platform for young BRICSologists to exchange bright & innovative ideas and their experiences.

#BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilVIDEO #BRICSschool #InterSchool

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