Azerbaijan Officially Requests BRICS Membership

Azerbaijan has officially applied to join BRICS, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada.

BRICS is an intergovernmental organization established in 2009 to foster closer ties between Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining the bloc a year later. At present, BRICS comprises nine members, including also Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

This bid comes after Azerbaijan expressed its interest at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, Kazakhstan earlier in July. During the summit, Azerbaijan and China signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, which included a provision highlighting Azerbaijan's desire to join BRICS. China has backed Azerbaijan's intention and committed to supporting its entry into the group.

Last week, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu reaffirmed Baku’s interest in BRICS membership.

"There is a long queue of those willing to join BRICS. Azerbaijan has indeed stated such willingness," the ambassador said.

Over the years, BRICS has developed into a significant international platform, holding annual summits and collaborating on a range of multilateral issues. This year, Russia is chairing the organization.

Current year’s main event of the member countries will be the BRICS summit from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Tatarstan Republic. However, on August 27-28, Moscow will host the 6th International Municipal Forum of BRICS countries.

During his recent trip to Azerbaijan, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited President Ilham Aliyev to the BRICS Summit in Kazan.

“Russia and Azerbaijan closely coordinate their efforts on key multilateral platforms, including the UN and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In October, we will be pleased to welcome Ilham Heydarovich [Aliyev] at the CIS Heads of State Council meeting in Moscow, as well as at the outreach meeting within the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October this year,” Putin said.

BRICS increasingly draws membership requests. Currently, Türkiye, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Venezuela, Vietnam, Honduras, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Senegal, Syria, Thailand, Uganda, Chad, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, and South Sudan also wish to join the bloc.

Victoria Panova, Head of the Expert Council for the Preparation and Support of Russia's BRICS Chairmanship, says Azerbaijan's participation in specific projects and thematic directions could allow BRICS to "shine in new colors".

“It can contribute to the development of the association, ensuring prosperity, development, and stability across Eurasia,” Panova stated.

With 45 per cent of the world's population, the BRICS nations account for up to 28 per cent of global exports. The combined GDP of the member states exceeds that of the G-7 nations.

According to World Bank data, BRICS share of global GDP increased from 18% in 2010 to 26% in 2021. Since its founding in 2009, BRICS has grown into a geopolitical alliance that takes an independent approach to global issues, distinct from the West-focused G-7 countries.

"We welcome our friendly Azerbaijan's interest in becoming a full member of BRICS. We will continue to support this effort, although a clear mechanism for admitting new members to BRICS has not yet been established. However, I believe this will be resolved in the coming years," Grigory Karasin, the Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, said.