Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that 34 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS during a meeting with high-ranking BRICS security representatives in St. Petersburg.
Among the countries seeking membership is Azerbaijan, which officially applied after expressing its desire during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in July.
China has welcomed Azerbaijan’s interest in BRICS cooperation. Türkiye is also reported to have applied for membership.
BRICS, originally founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, currently has nine members, with the recent additions of Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE.
