“An alternative to a new world organization”: why more and more countries are declaring an interest in BRICS

BRICS is an alternative to a new peace organization, said Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa. According to her, this is why her country is interested in unification. It was previously reported that more than 30 countries have already expressed interest in joining BRICS. As Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized, the organization’s task is to create a space of opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Experts note that the increased interest in the association suggests that it has become a real alternative to Western structures.

The Bolivian Foreign Ministry called BRICS an alternative to a new world organization. As the head of the department, Celinda Sosa, said on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, this is why her country is interested in cooperation with the organization.

“We are interested in BRICS because we consider it an alternative to a new world organization. Developing countries want to change. I think that this new access to financing could help them develop,” RIA Novosti quotes her as saying.

Bolivia has vast natural reserves of lithium and these resources can help the country in sustainable development, the minister added.

“Bolivia greatly appreciates Russia, South Africa, China and Brazil for their support. And associations are very important for us to achieve progress,” Sosa emphasized.

Bolivia officially notified the BRICS countries of its desire to join the structure in June 2023, as reported on social networks by then Foreign Minister Rogelio Maita. According to him, the South American state has already discussed its decision with all five members of the bloc and is prepared for the fact that the process may take some time. Maita also stressed that Bolivia is committed to “sustainable and inclusive development by strengthening cooperation with these developing economies.”

On the way to expansion

BRICS is an interstate association that was founded in 2006. Initially, it included Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). Later, the Republic of South Africa joined it – then the organization received its current name. In 2024, the composition was replenished with five more states. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joined the organization. At the same time, more than 30 more states are on the waiting list for membership, as reported by Russian Presidential Assistant Yuri Ushakov at the end of June at the Primakov Readings.

“The number of countries wishing to join BRICS in one form or another is constantly growing. Among those that have most recently submitted their applications are Thailand and Malaysia. In total, there are already more than 30 such applications,” TASS quoted Ushakov as saying.

The increased interest of countries in cooperation with BRICS was also noted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting with the Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalya Kochanova. According to the minister, there are so many people wishing to join the organization that the BRICS states were forced to “take a break” on the issue of expansion.

“To digest the new arrivals, who have doubled the composition,” the diplomat explained.

At the same time, categories of partner countries are already being prepared – steps before full membership in the bloc, Lavrov added.

Among those who have officially announced their desire to become members of BRICS are Azerbaijan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, Vietnam, Cuba, Honduras, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, the State of Palestine, Senegal , Ethiopia. Argentina was also previously on the list, but the new president of this country, Javier Miley, withdrew its application in 2023 for political reasons.

The Central African Republic (CAR), Türkiye, Cambodia, Myanmar and even Hungary have expressed interest in cooperation with the bloc. Moscow emphasizes that 36 foreign leaders are expected to attend the BRICS summit, which will be held in Kazan on October 22-24 under the chairmanship of Russia.

“We haven’t held such international events for a long time. 36 leaders of various states have been invited,” Yuri Ushakov told reporters on September 2.

At the same time, more than 20 heads of state have already confirmed participation in the summit, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on the sidelines of the BRICS Media Summit on September 14.

“This list continues to expand, information on specific individuals will be provided in a timely manner,” he noted in a conversation with TASS.

Russian Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti Natalya Seliverstova

Equal interaction

As Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 26 during the plenary session of the international forum “Russian Energy Week,” countries are working in many areas within the BRICS framework. In particular, work is underway to create a payment and settlement circuit within the framework of the unification, which will create conditions for efficient and independent servicing of all foreign trade. According to him, global economic growth in the 21st century will be concentrated precisely in the countries of the bloc and those seeking to join it, and not in Europe and North America.

“For states that are already or will become promising centers of growth, we intend to create an effective development platform, free from negative outside interference, including resource, technological, human resources, financial, trade and investment,” the head of state emphasized.

He also noted that BRICS sees its task as combining economic potentials, creating a space of opportunities for everyone who is interested “in harmonious, mutually beneficial cooperation.”

“Let me emphasize: precisely mutually beneficial, that is, in the common interests of our countries and peoples,” said Vladimir Putin.

From the point of view of political scientist Leonid Krutakov, it is this aspect that the Russian leader drew attention to that stimulates the countries’ interest in BRICS.

“Because BRICS is a real alternative to Western associations. In addition, if you look at the location of its participants, it becomes obvious that most of the world is striving to join BRICS. At its core, this organization today is a challenge to the world model that was established after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and an attempt to find a new format of relations with different countries,” Krutakov explained in a conversation with RT.

According to him, developing countries, which have long been under pressure from Western partners, see in BRICS an opportunity to break out of the framework established by the Anglo-Saxons and begin mutually beneficial relations with those who view them not only as a resource base.

“The old system is collapsing, dollar relations are weakening. Because the dollar is a politically motivated instrument that the US uses as a weapon. And those countries that have experienced such pressure are interested in the emergence of an alternative. So that there is a choice with whom, how and under what conditions to cooperate,” added Krutakov.

BRICS Digital Forum RIA Novosti Maxim Bogodvid

His point of view is shared by Evgeniy Semibratov, deputy director of the Institute of Strategic Studies and Forecasts of the RUDN University, lecturer at the Knowledge Society.

“BRICS is currently acting as an alternative development tool. I will even say more: BRICS is beginning to position itself as an alternative to the UN and, in principle, all countries see this. After all, it is on this platform that the Global South has the opportunity to present itself in proportion to its capabilities, without oppression and claims from the collective West,” he noted in a conversation with RT.

In addition, BRICS, even in its current format, reflects the interests of a much larger number of people than the collective West, the analyst said.

“The BRICS countries produce much more gross domestic product than the countries of the same G7 do. And BRICS has much greater opportunities for strategic development and growth. Therefore, in the future, given that BRICS is already ahead of the G7, this gap will only increase,” Semibratov is sure.

However, for further effective expansion, the organization still has to develop mechanisms for accepting and adapting new members, the analyst says.

“From a legal point of view, BRICS still exists only in the format of an informal club, where all decisions are made by consensus. However, the range of goals and objectives that the organization faces requires permanent bodies, headquarters, staff, and so on. Such decisions can be made after the adoption of the charter, the selection of a location for the headquarters and the resolution of other bureaucratic issues. Only after this will it be possible to talk about a significant expansion of BRICS,” he concluded.