World organisations · Updated September 2026
BRICS countries
BRICS started as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. From 2024–25 Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia joined. What the group is — a forum, not a UN.
BRICS is a political and economic forum of large emerging economies. The original five were Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (South Africa joined in 2010).
A 2023–24 expansion brought in Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (from January 2024). Indonesia joined as a full member in 2025. Saudi Arabia was invited; treat its status as “invited / bilateral” unless a summit communiqué lists it as seated. Argentina declined after a government change.
BRICS is not a military alliance and not a customs union like the EU. It runs the New Development Bank (headquartered in Shanghai) and an annual leaders’ summit. India hosted the 18th summit in New Delhi in September 2026.
BRICS countries — key facts (2026)
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Original five | Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa |
| Joined 2024 | Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates |
| Joined 2025 | Indonesia |
| NDB HQ | Shanghai |
| 2026 summit host | India (New Delhi, 12–13 September 2026) |
| Not NATO / not EU | A forum of states, not a defence pact |
| Argentina | Invited, then declined |
| Currency talk | Local-currency trade is discussed; there is no single BRICS cash in daily use |
Figures are the usual classroom and news-desk numbers for 2026. Border disputes and membership votes can change a count by one or two.
People also ask
How many BRICS members are there in 2026?
The working classroom list is the original five plus Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia. Always check the latest summit list — invitations and seating can differ from press shorthand.
Is BRICS against the G7?
It is a separate club with overlapping interests, not a formal opposite army. Several members still trade heavily with G7 economies.
Where was the 2026 BRICS summit?
New Delhi, India — Bharat Mandapam — 12–13 September 2026.