Effective January 1, 2025, Uganda, along with Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Uzbekistan, has officially joined the BRICS bloc as partner states. This significant expansion marks a pivotal moment in global geopolitics, with the bloc now representing 41% of the global economy.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed the expansion in a press briefing on Monday, noting that the countries had previously expressed their readiness for partnership. The invitations for this inclusion were extended during the October 2024 BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia.
Founded in 2009, BRICS originally brought together Brazil, Russia, India, and China as a bloc of emerging economies aiming to reshape global financial and political systems. South Africa joined in 2011, expanding the coalition’s reach. In 2024, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, and the UAE became full members, underscoring the bloc’s growing influence.
The inclusion of partner states introduces a new dynamic to the bloc’s operations. While these states will not participate in decision-making processes such as document approvals or voting, they will have the opportunity to engage in high-level meetings, including trade forums, security discussions, and ministerial events. Additionally, partner states can propose initiatives and contribute to the bloc’s overarching goals of fostering economic cooperation and addressing global challenges.
The expansion reflects BRICS’ strategic ambition to increase its global footprint. Partner states like Uganda and Indonesia bring diverse perspectives and economic potential to the table. This collaboration could stimulate trade, infrastructure development, and technology transfer, benefiting both member and partner nations.
However, the partner state status also delineates a clear distinction from full membership, limiting their influence on key policy decisions. This tiered structure may spark discussions about the long-term roles and aspirations of these partner states within the bloc.
The move comes amid shifting geopolitical alignments, with BRICS positioning itself as a counterweight to traditional Western-dominated alliances such as the G7. By embracing a wider range of countries, BRICS seeks to amplify its voice on global issues, from trade and development to security and climate change.
As BRICS evolves into a more inclusive yet stratified organization, the focus will be on how effectively it integrates its new partners and leverages their contributions to shape a more balanced global order.
