On June 29 (Moscow time), according to TASS, Iraq expressed its desire to join the BRICS in the future, but said that becoming a member of this bloc depends on many specific conditions and regulations.
In an interview with TASS news agency, Iraqi Ambassador to Russia Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa said that BRICS is an organization with an increasingly important role in the international arena and Baghdad expects to have the opportunity to participate in the near future.
“BRICS is a very important organization and I hope that one day Iraq will become part of this organization,” he said.
However, the Iraqi diplomat emphasized that the possibility of joining depends on many factors, including the operating mechanism as well as the admission criteria that BRICS is applying.
“That depends on many issues. It depends on how this organization operates and the conditions to become part of BRICS. But it will certainly be a good idea,” Mostafa said.
In recent years, BRICS has continuously expanded its sphere of influence, attracting the attention of many developing countries, countries that want to strengthen economic cooperation and promote their role in the global governance system.
BRICS was initiated by Russia in 2006 with the first 4 members including Brazil, Russia, India and China. After South Africa joined in 2011, the organization officially became BRICS as it is today.
At the first summit held in Yekaterinburg, Russia in June 2009, member countries identified the goal of promoting dialogue and cooperation based on pragmatism, openness and mutual benefit.
This bloc has also repeatedly emphasized the principle of non-military alliance and not aimed at opposing any third country or organization.
The BRICS expansion process has been accelerated in recent years. In January 2024, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ethiopia officially became full members of the organization.
By January 2025, Indonesia continued to join, raising the number of BRICS members to the highest level since its establishment.
Iraq's public expression of desire to participate is seen by observers as a signal of the increasing attractiveness of BRICS to developing economies in the Middle East and many other regions of the world.
