BRICS discussing decision on Saudi Arabia, Iran memberships this year

Another three meetings will be held within the next three months "in order to reach a consensus on the criteria of recommendations, principles and approaches for BRICS enlargement," he confirmed. "A corresponding report is expected to be submitted for consideration to BRICS foreign ministers, whose meeting will be held in early June. Major efforts are underway now on the concept for BRICS expansion and criteria for adopting new members".
The economic bloc currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and is notable as a potential trading and political force which many predict could serve as an alternative to the United States and the global economic system it leads, especially as Washington's influence is considered to be declining on the world stage.
China, the most prominent member state in BRICS and with a GDP of over twice the size of all other four members combined, was reportedly the one to have initiated the discussion on expansion, seeing it as a way to make the bloc more of a match against current global financial institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations.
The other members, however, are reported to be uncomfortable with Beijing's hegemonic influence and the invitation of its allies into BRICS, fearing that their own influence could be diluted.
Along with Saudi Arabia and Iran, Algeria also applied join BRICS last year, with Turkiye and Egypt expected to become additional members soon.