The global geopolitics is undergoing a profound transformation, and the BRICS, this group of emerging powers, are at the heart of this dynamic. As economic and political tensions with the West continue to grow, more than thirty countries have expressed their desire to join this strategic alliance. Meeting in Kazan for their annual summit from October 22 to 24, 2024, the BRICS seek to reshape global balances.

A strategic expansion for a multipolar world

The announcement by Vladimir Putin at the last BRICS summit had the effect of a bombshell: more than thirty countries have officially requested to join the alliance. “We are witnessing a historic moment, where many States seek to free themselves from Western hegemony,” said the Russian president in his opening statement. This desire for membership reflects a common willingness to reshape the current structure of global power in favor of a multipolar order. Since its creation in 2009, the BRICS have gradually expanded their influence, with the integration of South Africa in 2010, and countries like Ethiopia, Iran, and Egypt in 2023.

This enthusiasm for the group is primarily motivated by the promise of strengthening the weight of its members within major global economic institutions, such as the IMF and the WTO, institutions still dominated by the West. For these countries, joining the BRICS represents an opportunity to diversify their economic partners, but above all to reduce their dependence on the dollar. “The BRICS have become a symbol of resistance to the current economic order,” declared Putin, who points to the economic sanctions and protectionist policies that undermine the global economy

The growing geopolitical role of the BRICS

Beyond economic aspects, this expansion also holds major geopolitical significance. Russia and China, two of the pillars of the BRICS, are now using this alliance to assert their position against the United States and their allies. Thus, Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the necessity for the BRICS to remain united in the face of international challenges, particularly the conflict in Ukraine. “We must oppose the escalation of conflicts,” he stated, mentioning mediation proposals that come from certain member countries.

The presence of new countries like Iran or Egypt within the group also strengthens the influence of the BRICS in the Middle East and Africa, two strategic regions for global geopolitical balances. This expansion could also redefine international trade relations, as several members wish to create alternative payment systems to circumvent Western economic sanctions. In the long term, the BRICS could thus become an indispensable platform for countries seeking to free themselves from Western control.

This unprecedented expansion of the BRICS constitutes a decisive step in the transformation of international relations. If this alliance manages to maintain its effectiveness despite the integration of numerous new members, it could well redraw the contours of global governance. However, the challenge will be to harmonize the sometimes divergent interests of its members and face multiple economic and political tensions. The BRICS, with this expansion dynamic, clearly lay the groundwork for a new multipolar world order.