Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will become BRICS partners starting in 2025.

Starting January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will officially join BRICS as partner countries. This was announced by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, reports TASS.

In addition to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the list of partners includes Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, and Uganda. Invitations have been sent to a total of 13 countries, and Russia is awaiting confirmation from four more.

The category of partner countries for BRICS was established at the summit in Kazan in October 2024. According to Ushakov, prior to the summit, the organization received 35 applications from various countries to participate in its activities.

Partner countries will have the opportunity to participate in individual sessions of BRICS summits, meetings of foreign ministers, and other events of the bloc.

*BRICS unites nine countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The organization was founded in 2006, with the latest expansion occurring on January 1, 2024.