Where are we now: BRICS+ Expansion in the emerging World Order

Stanković, Đurđica and Mandić, Marko (2026) Where are we now: BRICS+ Expansion in the emerging World Order. In: Security in Europe and World Peace. Educational Research Institute Educational Research Institute Press, Ljubljana, p. 30.

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Abstract

The expansion of BRICS+ represents a significant factor in the transformation of the global political and economic order, although its geopolitical power is not yet fully defined. In many regions, BRICS+ is seen as an alternative to the West and as a tool to strengthen the role of Global South countries, while Western countries, especially the EU and the USA, generally view the group as heterogeneous and economically weak. The new members, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE, have different motives: Egypt and the UAE seek economic opportunities, Iran aims to escape isolation and ease sanctions, while Saudi Arabia sees BRICS+ as a pragmatic platform for diversifying foreign relations. The expansion increases pressure on international organizations to reform their structures and better incorporate Global South countries. This paper examines whether the expansion of BRICS+ has the potential to reshape the global political and economic order and strengthen the role of Global South countries in international governance. The BRICS+ economies account for approximately 36% of global GNI, 46% of the world’s population, and over 40% of global oil production, suggesting considerable potential to strengthen their influence in international trade and finance. However, disparities in economic performance among members, China’s slowing growth, and the consequences of the war in Ukraine for Russia limit the group’s short-term geopolitical impact. Furthermore, tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the USA introduce additional uncertainty, particularly regarding energy markets and regional security.

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