Palestine has announced plans to officially apply for membership in BRICS following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas earlier this month.
After their August meeting, Abbas was invited to participate in the 2024 BRICS Summit, a significant step toward Palestine’s membership bid.
This move aligns with a broader trend in 2023, as the BRICS alliance has seen growing interest from countries seeking to join its expanding ranks. This year, the bloc added four new members: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The recent growth reflects the importance BRICS has gained on the global stage, as it expanded its membership for the first time since 2001 and continues to explore further enlargement.
Palestine’s ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafeez Nofal, confirmed that the formal application to join BRICS will follow their participation in the upcoming summit. “We received an invitation from President Putin to President Abbas, and he was invited to participate in the BRICS summit,” Nofal told local media. He also emphasized that Palestinian representatives would play an active role in the event.
Nofal further revealed that the 2024 BRICS Summit will feature a dedicated session focusing on Palestine, signaling the importance of its participation. After the summit, Palestine plans to submit its request for membership.
Palestine is not alone in its pursuit of joining BRICS. Over 30 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Venezuela, and Chile, have expressed interest in becoming part of the economic alliance, reflecting the increasing global appeal of the bloc. Although discussions on further expansion are ongoing, the list of potential new members continues to grow.
