The ministry said BRICS, a grouping of emerging economies, was formally established during a meeting of the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, China and India on the sidelines of the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2006.

Following South Africa’s admission in 2010, the grouping formally adopted the name BRICS, formed from the first letters of the English names of its five founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. BRICS has no permanent secretariat and operates under a rotating presidency held by its five core members.

During 2024-2025, BRICS admitted six new members - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and the UAE - while establishing a partner-country mechanism with 10 nations: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The expansion has strengthened the grouping’s position in global governance and its influence worldwide.

BRICS currently accounts for nearly 56% of the world’s population, around 44% of global GDP measured at purchasing power parity, nearly a quarter of global merchandise trade, 43.6% of crude oil production and approximately 72% of the world’s rare-earth reserves.

During its 2026 BRICS presidency, India has actively promoted the continued implementation of initiatives adopted at the 2025 summit in Brazil while proposing new initiatives in areas including labor, employment, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, transportation, energy, urban development, agriculture, infrastructure and data.

India is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi. The event will bring together leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, along with invited guests.

Vietnam’s objective in becoming a BRICS partner country is to affirm its position and role, strengthen its active participation and responsible contributions to multilateral mechanisms, safeguard national interests, and advance Vietnam’s priorities as well as issues of shared regional and global concern.

Another objective is to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with BRICS countries and open additional channels for dialogue and engagement at different levels with member and partner nations. Vietnam also aims to tap cooperation resources, particularly in science and technology, capital and markets, to support its national development strategy.

As a BRICS partner, Vietnam has participated in activities within the grouping in an active and proactive manner, making responsible contributions to global efforts, upholding multilateralism and international law, promoting solidarity and international cooperation, and supporting the role of developing countries. Its engagement has also contributed to deepening bilateral relations with BRICS members.

Vietnam has proactively selected specific BRICS cooperation mechanisms and initiatives that align with its priorities, initially helping broaden channels for cooperation, strengthen exchanges of experience, and improve access to new initiatives and emerging technological trends.

Tran Thuong