Azerbaijan Officially Seeks Membership in BRICS Amidst Expansion of the Economic Bloc

According to SAEDNEWS, Azerbaijan has officially submitted its application to join the BRICS economic alliance, as reported by Azerbaijan's Report news agency. This move aligns with Baku's expressed interest in becoming a full-fledged member of the group, which emphasizes cooperation among emerging economies from the Global South.

The country’s intention to join BRICS was highlighted in a joint declaration on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China, signed during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana in early July. Additionally, Azerbaijani parliament speaker Sakhiba Gafarova reiterated this goal during a plenary session of the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg on July 11, asserting the desire for Azerbaijan to be a fully integrated member of the bloc.

BRICS, founded by Russia, China, India, and Brazil, with South Africa joining later, has seen significant expansion recently. As the new year began, the alliance welcomed five new developing nations: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. This marks a crucial milestone in the organization's growth, following a year that saw a wide array of initiatives, including plans for de-dollarization and the formalization of expansion efforts.

The inclusion of these new countries has the potential to reshape global dynamics, significantly impacting the geopolitical landscape as BRICS aims to bolster its multipolar objectives. With Azerbaijan now seeking to join this expanding alliance, its participation could further enhance the bloc's influence in the region and beyond, reinforcing its role as a major player in the evolving economic environment.