The BRICS group has no plans to change its name, despite the addition of new members. However, the BRICS group name may be changed in the future if all members agree, TASS quoted Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.
"Of course, this is a matter that requires a consensus decision from the BRICS countries. But so far there have been no proposals on the issue of changing the group's name. Currently, there is a common understanding that the name BRICS should remain the same," Dmitry Peskov replied when asked about the BRICS name change.
BRICS is the first letter of the English names of the group's five founding members - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
BRICS was founded in 2006, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa was the first country to join in 2011, and the letter "S" was added to the group's name.
In 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates became new members of BRICS.
Russia is taking over the one-year presidency of BRICS from January 1, 2024. Russia's presidency includes more than 250 different events, with the BRICS summit in Kazan being the main event.
The BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in Kazan, Russia from October 22 to 24. In addition to the official event, events in the BRIC+ and BRICS-plus formats will also be held. Dozens of invited countries will participate in these events, including many that have applied to join BRICS.
According to TASS, Sri Lanka plans to formally apply for BRICS membership at the summit in Kazan.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira revealed that the BRICS countries will discuss the feasibility of expanding BRICS at the summit in Kazan, Russia. "Almost 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS," he shared in an interview with CNN Brazil.
BRICS members will have to assess whether it makes sense to offer membership to more countries, Brazil's top diplomat said.
"Admitting all these countries at the same time would be very difficult because BRICS has no formal structure or secretariat. If admitted at the same time, BRICS would be a completely different organization," Foreign Minister Vieira noted.
Brazil is ready to expand BRICS, he said, but only if new countries are offered membership in stages.
Also according to information from TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold about 20 bilateral talks on the sidelines of the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, with the first meetings starting as early as October 21 and lasting until October 24.
