South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared on Thursday that the Brics group decided to accept membership of six states including three Arab countries.
Ramaphosa, in a statement he made during the annual Brics summit held in Johannesburg, excerpts of which were picked up by the media in the Algerian capital, said the Brics member states agreed to grant membership in the bloc to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Argentina, Iran and Ethiopia, effective January 1, 2024.
He added that the group that takes decisions by unanimity agreed on broad lines for expansion of the group.
The three-day summit of the Brics that currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is due to conclude later on Thursday.
There have been high aspirations that the Brics may eventually turn into a global heavyweight power, vis a vis the top powers namely the US. Some of its leaders have been encouraging inter-trade without using the US dollar, amid bids to acquire a greater stake in the world economy and production.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in particular, currently at loggerheads with western powers over Ukraine and other issues, have acknowledged the aspiration to establish a multi-polar world.
Source: Kuwait News Agency