The Voice News: Vietnam has officially been admitted as a “partner country” of BRICS, the coalition of major emerging economies, Brazil announced on Friday. The move comes as the bloc continues its strategy of expanding global influence.With this inclusion, Vietnam becomes the tenth nation to receive partner status, which grants invited countries the ability to participate in BRICS summits and high-level discussions, although not as full members.Earlier this year, Vietnam had signaled its interest in forging a partnership with BRICS—originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, and later joined by South Africa.Brazil, which currently holds the 2025 presidency of BRICS, welcomed Hanoi’s inclusion:”Vietnam is a significant player in Asia. Its commitment to South-South cooperation and sustainable development aligns closely with BRICS’ objectives,” the Brazilian government said in a statement.Founded in 2009, BRICS has recently expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, positioning itself as a growing diplomatic alternative to traditional Western alliances.Alongside Vietnam, other current BRICS partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
