Thailand formally applies to join BRICS
According to the "BRICS News" social media account on the 21st, Thailand formally applied to join the BRICS.
Thai cabinet approves draft letter of intent to join BRICS
CCTV News Client reported on May 29 that Chai Watcharoen, spokesman for the Thai Prime Minister's Office, said on May 28 that the Thai cabinet meeting approved the draft letter of intent submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on joining the BRICS, believing that becoming a member of the BRICS will benefit Thailand, help enhance Thailand's international status and provide more opportunities for Thailand's economic development.
The name of the BRICS countries comes from the initials of the English names of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Because the spelling and pronunciation of "BRICs" are similar to the English word "brick", Chinese media and scholars translate it into BRICS. In 2011, South Africa officially joined the BRICS countries, and the English name was set as BRICS.
In 2006, the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries held their first meeting, marking the beginning of BRICS cooperation. In June 2009, the leaders of the BRICS countries held their first meeting in Yekaterinburg, Russia. In November 2011, the leaders of the BRICS countries held their first informal meeting on the eve of the G20 Summit in Cannes, France. So far, the leaders of the BRICS countries have held 15 meetings and 9 informal meetings. In August 2023, the 15th BRICS Leaders' Meeting was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the decision to expand the BRICS was made. On January 1, 2024, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia became formal members of the BRICS.
Since the establishment of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, the foundation of cooperation has been increasingly consolidated and the scope has gradually expanded. It has formed a multi-level framework led by leaders' meetings and supported by ministerial meetings such as the Meeting of High Representatives for Security Affairs and Foreign Ministers' Meetings. It has carried out pragmatic cooperation in dozens of fields such as economy and trade, finance, science and technology, agriculture, culture, education, health, think tanks, and sister cities. It has become a constructive force in promoting world economic growth, improving global governance, and promoting the democratization of international relations.