The five-nation BRICS group announced expansion of members on Thursday, having invited six countries to join the bloc.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting the groupโs summit in Johannesburg, said that Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would begin their membership in January.
โThis membership expansion is historic,โ Chinese leader Xi Jinping said. โIt shows the determination of BRICS countries for unity and development.โ