The 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa concluded with the admission of six new members – Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – in a "historic" expansion and a new starting point for BRICS cooperation.

The six countries, whose membership will take effect on January 1, 2024, all hailed their entry to BRICS and highlighted the group's role in further vitalizing regional and global cooperation, strengthening the forces for world peace and development, as well as addressing global challenges.

"Without a doubt, the decision of the BRICS members to expand the group is a commendable step that paves the way for global development on the basis of justice," said Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi after the six countries were invited to become new members.

Raisi said Iran's inclusion in BRICS will create a historic impact, marking a pivotal milestone in advancing principles of justice and ethics, and ultimately fostering enduring global peace.

Facing an intricate global landscape brought by hegemonic ambitions, injustice, disparities and moral crises, Raisi underscored the necessity for collaborative initiatives and unity to establish a just system based on shared interests. He described BRICS as "a symbol of such a change in global relations that can help solve the problems of the world community," especially as global trust in the group is increasing.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian praised BRICS for playing an independent and effective role with great willingness globally, which makes it a favorable target for Iran in pursuit of promoting multilateralism.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed it as "a great moment" for his country as the BRICS leaders endorsed its entry into the group.

"Ethiopia stands ready to cooperate with all for an inclusive and prosperous global order," he said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also spoke positively about his country's inclusion in "this important group," saying on X that they "look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world."

In a statement, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi pledged to work with other BRICS countries to "raise the voice of the Global South with regard to the various issues and development challenges we encounter in order to promote the developing countries' rights and interests."

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez called joining BRICS "a new opportunity" to strengthen the nation, adding that the inclusion will not only create new opportunities for the country's development, but also strengthen the global multilateralism system and bring new opportunities for the common development of emerging economies.

Saudi Arabia is looking forward to developing the cooperation to "create new developmental and economic opportunities and elevate our relationship to the aspired level," said the country's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Rising appeal

BRICS started the expansion process last year, during which many emerging markets and developing countries showed a keen interest in joining the group.

That "speaks volumes about the appeal of BRICS and the enthusiasm and aspiration of emerging markets and developing countries for cooperation," said a China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on Thursday.

The expansion is "of important historic significance," which demonstrates the determination of BRICS countries to unite and cooperate with fellow developing countries, the spokesperson said.

It also meets the expectation of the international community and serves the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries, added the spokesperson.

"They are not leaving anybody behind," Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan scholar on international relations, told China Media Group, as the themes at the summit were all about the development of BRICS and African countries.

Cavince said the summit acted as a very important platform for cooperation and economic development "within the member states, but also for other countries."

The formation provides them "an opportunity for development that can promote the interest of developing countries and give them leverage in global affairs," he added.

'Hottest club in the world'

Maj Gen Gaudence Salim Milanzi, Tanzania's high commissioner to South Africa, told RT that BRICS is "the hottest club in the world," adding that Tanzania, though it has not yet applied for membership, sees opportunities in working with the group.

Milanzi said African nations, which have traditionally traded with Western countries, "always look for other trading partners," and that is what BRICS can offer.

South Africa has had many opportunities because of BRICS, reported Cape Times, citing the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa.

"BRICS as a formation plays an important role in the world due to its economic power, market potential, political influence and development co-operation. Yet the value of BRICS extends beyond its sheer size," said Ramaphosa.

The Modern Diplomacy platform quoted the president as saying BRICS has acquired a very important stature in the world, "with many across various continents of our world seeking to be part of it."

It added that BRICS is a model organization of "genuine multilateral diplomacy" whose structure is formed in compliance with the 21st century realities.

(With input from Xinhua)