At the 15th BRICS summit, held in Johannesburg, which six new countries were welcomed into the BRICS grouping, thus expanding its membership beyond the original five members?

Solution

Members of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on August 24 declared expansion of the grouping by welcoming six new countries into the fold at the end  of the 15th BRICS summit at Johannesburg. Current Chair of BRICS South African President Cyril Ramaphosa presented the Johannesburg Declaration, the outcome document of the summit, and made an indirect reference to the Ukraine conflict saying the grouping’s members had sought “peaceful resolution” of disputes. They have agreed to welcome Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates into BRICS. The decision to expand BRICS was taken 13 years after the organisation was last expanded with the addition of South Africa in 2010. Originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, BRICS was envisioned as a global-level outfit of major economies that are playing an increasingly important role in the post-Cold War world order. About BRICS BRICS is a grouping of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa formed by the 2010 addition of South Africa to the predecessor BRIC. Founded: 16 June 2009                  Founders: Russia, China, India, Brazil