Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Became BRICS Partners, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister States
BRICS is an intergovernmental organization established in 2006. Russia’s 2024 presidency of BRICS began with the joining of new members. Adding to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia; the latter has not formalized membership but participates in BRICS meetings.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have become BRICS partners, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Pankin said on Friday.
“The BRICS summit in Kazan demonstrated the aspiration of the global majority to create a just world order, reform global institutions and build equitable economic relations. A solid package of agreements was reached on trade, investment, artificial intelligence, energy and climate, and logistics. Our APEC [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] colleagues – Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand – have become partners of the association,” Pankin told a joint meeting of APEC foreign and trade ministers, as quoted by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The BRICS partner status denotes an alternative to full membership, allowing participating nations to engage with BRICS but without voting rights. Partner status will be “as close to membership as possible,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov hinted earlier this year.
The 2024 Kazan BRICS Summit declaration endorsed the partner country category, emphasizing that “extending the BRICS partnership with emerging economies and developing countries will further contribute to strengthening the spirit of solidarity and true international cooperation for the benefit of all.”
