Iran enters the expanded BRICS grouping

Invited leaders from Africa and the wider Global South joined a dialogue on development and more representative global governance. Attendance did not itself confer BRICS membership.

Two agreements totaling US$1.7 billion supported Brazilian environmental and sustainable-development priorities through its national development bank.

The bank signed a US$2 billion facility, including an optional increase, diversifying how it raises capital for development lending.

Egypt joined the leaders’ grouping following the Johannesburg invitation. This is separate from its earlier entry into the New Development Bank.

Ethiopia joined as the group expanded its representation in Africa beyond South Africa and Egypt.

The UAE joined BRICS following its 2023 invitation. It had separately become an NDB member in 2021.

The first BRICS Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum brought together business networks and drew attention to women’s access to finance and innovation.

The forum advanced a roadmap for tourism exchanges, skills, sustainable tourism and digital services.

Parliamentary representatives signed a protocol linked to the forum’s memorandum, strengthening exchanges among legislatures after enlargement.

A US$1 billion loan supported water supply and sanitation infrastructure in municipalities, addressing basic service gaps.