Major emerging economies are preparing to invite Saudi Arabia to join the BRICS, Bloomberg News reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the talks.
The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have agreed to expand their group in what will be the first expansion since 2010, the report said.
Egypt is another country invited to join, along with other countries in the Middle East, the report says.
The day before, the BRICS leaders spoke in favor of expanding the bloc.
“We are once again living through another momentous moment with more than 20 other countries striving to become part of the BRICS family and I know that you, as BRICS leaders, are discussing this issue and paying close attention to it,” Ramaphosa said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech emphasized that the world is undergoing changes and is entering a new era of turbulence. "We, the BRICS countries, must always keep in mind our fundamental goal of strengthening ourselves in unity and a strong sense of responsibility to expand cooperation in all areas," Xi Jinping said.
The 15th BRICS summit, a bloc that unites China, Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa, is taking place August 22-24 in Johannesburg.
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