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BRICS Membership Growth: Full Members, Partner Countries, and Saudi Arabia Status
The bloc continues its historic expansion, reshaping global governance dynamics
Overview
BRICS — originally an informal grouping of emerging economies — has expanded significantly since its founding. The organization now includes multiple full member states beyond its original five, along with a formalized partner country category that broadens engagement with other nations. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s membership status has been a diplomatic focal point as the kingdom carefully balances relations with BRICS and the United States.
Full BRICS Members
BRICS began in 2009 as BRIC — composed of:
- Brazil
- Russia
- India
- China
- South Africa (joined in 2010)
The bloc expanded with a new round of full members:
- Egypt — officially joined BRICS on January 1, 2024.
- Ethiopia — officially joined on January 1, 2024.
- Iran — officially joined on January 1, 2024.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) — officially joined on January 1, 2024.
- Indonesia — officially joined on January 6, 2025.
This brings the total to 10 confirmed full members, reflecting BRICS’ geographic and economic expansion.
BRICS Partner Countries
To broaden its cooperative footprint, BRICS introduced a partner country category in October 2024. Partner status allows countries to participate in certain meetings and initiatives without full membership.
Countries currently holding BRICS partner status include:
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Cuba
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysia
- Nigeria
- Thailand
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
These partner states officially received their status beginning January 1, 2025, after approval at the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan.
Status of Saudi Arabia’s BRICS Membership
Saudi Arabia was initially invited to join BRICS as part of the Johannesburg 2023 expansion alongside Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE. However, the kingdom has not formally acceded to membership as of early 2026.
According to reports:
- Saudi Arabia was first invited to join in 2023 but has yet to formally accept or finalize membership.
- Participation at BRICS meetings has continued, but no official accession decree or membership ratification has occurred.
- Riyadh’s nuanced position reflects its diplomatic balancing between maintaining strategic ties with the United States and engaging with BRICS economies.
Why It Matters
BRICS’ expanded membership signals a shift toward multipolar governance and economic coordination among major emerging markets. By incorporating additional full members and partner countries, BRICS increases its demographic, economic, and geopolitical weight in global forums.
Why It Matters to Global Politics
Full and partner status broadens BRICS’ influence over global policy discussions—from trade and investment to infrastructure financing and financial architecture reform. The evolution of membership categories also suggests a strategic approach to inclusivity without diluting core decision-making processes.
Implications for Global Governance
Pillar 1: Multipolar Engagement
BRICS expansion demonstrates a growing coalition of states seeking alternatives to traditional Western-led institutions, amplifying developing world voices on the global stage.
Pillar 2: Economic Integration and Influence
Broader membership and formal partnerships strengthen intra-BRICS economic networks, potentially reshaping trade flows, investment patterns, and cooperation on infrastructure and development.
This is not just membership growth — it’s an evolving framework for global economic influence.
Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive
Sources
TASS — “FACTBOX: BRICS association’s profile”
BRICS Connect — “Saudi Arabia still not formally a BRICS member, according to report”
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BRICS Unit Gains Traction — 40+ Countries Positioned to Adopt Alternative Settlement System
BRICS gold-linked digital unit pilot reflects broader de-dollarization efforts and shifting global financial alignments
Overview
A growing number of nations are reportedly poised to participate in an emerging BRICS-linked settlement mechanism — often referred to as the “BRICS Unit” — designed to offer an alternative framework to U.S.-dollar-based international trade settlements. According to recent reporting, over 40 countries are either actively testing, in partnership agreements with, or have applied to join the BRICS Unit ecosystem, signaling broader interest in de-dollarization and multipolar financial architectures.
What Is the BRICS Unit?
The so-called BRICS Unit is described in recent financial coverage as a gold-backed digital trade settlement instrument. Early reports indicate the design employs a reserve structure combining physical gold and a basket of member currencies — with gold providing stability and potential insulation from currency volatility. A pilot version was launched and piloted among core BRICS members late in 2025.
According to one overview:
- The instrument is 40% backed by physical gold and 60% supported by a basket of BRICS national currencies.
- Prototype or pilot use was initiated in late 2025, and participating countries are exploring its use for cross-border trade settlement outside traditional dollar-centric mechanisms.
Countries Positioned to Accept the System
Reporting indicates the BRICS Unit ecosystem engagement includes:
- Full BRICS members — such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia — all of which are reportedly advancing pilots or tests.
- Partner states and applicants — multiple Southeast Asian nations (e.g., Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) and an array of about 20 additional countries formally seeking participation.
- This broad interest suggests a strategic shift toward alternatives to dollar-dominant settlement systems.
Why It Matters
While the U.S. dollar remains the dominant currency for global trade and reserves, initiatives like the BRICS Unit reflect longstanding efforts by emerging economies to reduce dependence on dollar-centric infrastructure such as SWIFT and traditional correspondent banking networks. Expanded participation by developing and middle-income economies could reshape how international trade is financed and settled.
Why It Matters to Global Markets
If widely adopted, alternative settlement mechanisms can influence:
- Currency demand and reserve allocation
- Trade settlement networks and fees
- Geopolitical balances of financial influence
These shifts could gradually affect dollar demand in international markets, though gradual rather than immediate replacement is broadly expected by analysts.
Status & Timeline
As of early 2026:
- The BRICS Unit remains in pilot and prototype stages, not yet formally adopted as a legal tender or replacement for national currencies.
- A fully operational settlement platform is anticipated by some estimates between 2026 and 2027, though formal launch and widespread usage timelines remain subject to technical, regulatory, and geopolitical hurdles.
Context & Caution
It’s important to contextualize these developments:
- No formal BRICS common currency has been officially adopted by member nations to replace the U.S. dollar.
- BRICS officials and spokespeople have, in other reporting, stated that while de-dollarization efforts are ongoing (including payment systems and national currency settlements), they are not pursuing an immediate unified currency per se.
This reflects the gradual nature of de-dollarization efforts — with pilots and infrastructure exploration preceding any substantive shift in reserve currency status or trade dominance.
This is not just speculation — it’s the unfolding architecture of a potentially multipolar economic future.
Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive
Sources
Watcher.Guru — “Dollar Will Fall As 40+ Countries Are Ready to Accept BRICS Unit”
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