Zimbabwe is negotiating its entry into the group of emerging economies known as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), currently chaired by Brazil. The news was reported this Tuesday (24) by the EFE agency, cited by Lusa.
According to Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira, “a formal request has been submitted by Zimbabwe to Brazil to join BRICS in the categories deemed appropriate.” The request was presented during bilateral talks between the two countries.
Murwira stated that Zimbabwe is already following the guidance received. “We’ve had many positive exchanges and received good guidance from Brazil, as the current chair of BRICS, on the steps we need to take — and we are already taking those steps,” the minister said.
He also highlighted Brazil’s openness to cooperate with the African continent. “Brazil is willing to work with Africa,” Murwira emphasized, after a meeting held on Monday in Harare with Brazil’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vilmar Rogério Coutinho.
For his part, the Brazilian diplomat acknowledged Zimbabwe’s commitment. “We value the African country’s interest in joining BRICS,” said Coutinho, adding that it is “something we are currently working on, and we hope to reach a successful conclusion on this matter very soon.”
During the 15th BRICS summit, held in August 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa, six new countries were approved for entry into the group: Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia. However, Argentina withdrew from the accession in December, and Saudi Arabia has stated that it is still assessing the benefits of participating in the group.
In January 2024, Indonesia was admitted as a new permanent member.
The group was originally founded in 2006 as BRIC — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China — with the aim of strengthening cooperation among major emerging economies. In 2010, South Africa joined the alliance, making it BRICS, a name that remains to this day.
Source: DE
