BRICS, a grouping of major emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has announced a temporary halt to admitting new full members following its recent expansion to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2023. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov disclosed this decision during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Nizhny Novgorod.Instead of immediate new memberships, BRICS will focus on categorizing partner countries that may eventually lead to full membership status. This strategic pause reflects BRICS’ intention to manage its expansion carefully while considering geopolitical implications and maintaining cohesion among its diverse member nations.The move comes amidst heightened global interest in BRICS membership, with approximately 30 countries, including Malaysia and Thailand, expressing interest in joining. These countries view BRICS as an alternative political platform to Western-dominated institutions like the World Bank and IMF, reflecting a broader shift in global economic and political alignments.Russia, which currently holds the BRICS presidency, is preparing to host a summit in Kazan in October 2024, underscoring its commitment to showcasing BRICS as a viable international forum despite Western opposition. The upcoming summit is expected to include participation from non-member countries, further enhancing BRICS’ role as a global influencer in geopolitics and economic cooperation.Additionally, BRICS’ efforts towards de-dollarisation and discussions on intra-BRICS payment systems highlight its ambitions to reduce reliance on the US dollar amidst geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions, though progress in this area remains gradual. Overall, BRICS continues to evolve as a significant player in global economic governance, offering an alternative vision to traditional Western-centric models of international relations.