BRICS to admit 6 new members as bloc denies common currency plan

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 23, 2023. [Xinhua/Ding Haitao]

The five BRICS developing nations will admit six new members as the trade bloc moves to raise its clout in global trade and politics.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday the bloc will admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, bringing to 11 member countries.