BRICS: Saudi Arabia, Iran and 3 Others Join the Bloc

The BRICS member nations are set to get a massive expansion with five new nations including Saudi Arabia are set to join the bloc
By Godfrey Benjamin
BRICS vs SWIFT

The BRICS Group has just welcomed new members including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and a few other nations as it charts a rare expansionary move.

Advertisement
Advertisement

BRICS Group Doubles Down on Expansion

South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor stated that Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have confirmed their interest in joining the BRICS Group. This comes a few months after the 2023 BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa where an invitation was extended to the aforementioned countries including Argentina by the bloc. 

Unlike the nations that just accepted the invitation, Argentina outrightly turned down the offer, a move contributed by the recent change in the country’s administration. Specifically, Argentina’s President, Javier Milei through his Foreign Minister declined the invitation from BRICS.

“Argentina has written to indicate that they will not act on this successful application by the previous administration to become full members of BRICS, and we accept their decision,” Pandor added.

Milei’s decision to reject the BRICS invitation is in fulfillment of the promise made during his campaign. In the run-up to his ascension into office, the pro-Bitcoin politician pledged to shut down Argentina’s Central Bank and dollarize the economy. This plan encompassed slashing spending by at least 13% of GDP before mid-2025. 

The Argentine president intends to achieve this feat by imploring strategies like downsizing public works, reducing the number of ministries, and removing subsidies and capital restrictions. In this regard, he has been making so much effort since he assumed office. After a few days as the sworn-in President of Argentina, Milei implemented the devaluation by slashing the fiat currency’s value by 50% concerning the USD. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

The De-Dollarization Agenda Unfolding

Ultimately, the BRICS Group is focused on breaking the dominance of the United States Dollar as the global reserve currency.

Opening its doors to more countries with similar interests is one way in which members of the BRICS Group believe that the bloc would achieve its agenda. With more countries, BRICS stands the chance of controlling more economic thresholds, especially with oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia. 

Between a few countries in the BRICS bloc, international trade has started taking place. Last year, India and UAE redefined trade ties as the rupee replaced the dollar in the crude oil transaction, signaling the BRICS de-dollarization agenda. 

Milei backtracking from joining BRICS is evident as he is pro-America when the other nations in the alliance are not.

Advertisement
Godfrey Benjamin
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture. Follow him on X, Linkedin
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.