Kazakhstan to 'most likely' refrain from applying for BRICS membership in 'foreseeable future'

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Kazakhstan said on Wednesday that it will “most likely” refrain from applying for membership in the BRICS economic group “in the foreseeable future,” as neighboring Russia is set to host the organization’s 16th summit next week.

Presidential Press Secretary Berik Uali said in an interview with Kazakh news outlet TengriNews that Astana is closely following the evolution of BRICS and supports its founding members' calls to make "every effort to build a fair, democratic world order free from the hegemony of any superpowers."

Uali said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has received proposals for Kazakhstan's BRICS membership, which he is carefully considering and is being analyzed by relevant government departments based on the country's national interests.

“At the same time, at present and, most likely, in the foreseeable future, Kazakhstan will refrain from submitting an application to BRICS, including taking into account the multi-stage process of considering the membership issue, as well as other issues related to the development prospects of this association,” Uali further said.

In response to a question about which organization Kazakhstan prioritizes, Uali went on to say that Tokayev has repeatedly spoken out in favor of the UN as a “universal and uncontested organization.”

However, according to Tokayev, the UN is not free from shortcomings, and no organization without flaws exists, he said, adding that it requires the international community's support.

He added that Tokayev plans to speak at an expanded meeting as part of the 16th summit of BRICS, which Russia will host on Oct. 22-24 in the city of Kazan.

Founded informally in 2009 as BRIC with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the group added South Africa in 2011, after which it expanded its name to BRICS, deriving from the first letters of the names of the aforementioned five countries.

In December 2023, six more countries joined the bloc -- Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. However, Argentina later withdrew following the election of pro-Western leader Javier Milei as the country’s president.

Meanwhile, the situation regarding Saudi Arabia, which reportedly is yet to ratify its membership, remains unclear.