Which Was the First Country to Join BRICS After Its Formation?
South Africa was the first country to join BRIC after its formation. Know when South Africa joined, BRICS Summit 2026 date, venue, theme, members and key agenda.
South Africa was the first country to join the original BRIC grouping after its formation. South Africa became the fifth member. It was invited to join in 2010. The original BRIC group consisted of Brazil, Russia, India and China. With South Africa’s addition the name changed from BRIC to BRICS. Keep reading to know in detail.
When Did South Africa Join BRICS?
South Africa was invited to become a full member of BRIC in December 2010. It attended its first BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Sanya, China, in April 2011. This marked the beginning of South Africa’s participation as a full BRICS member.
What Was BRIC Before South Africa Joined?
Before South Africa became a member, the group was known as BRIC. After South Africa joined, the letter S was added to the name. The four original countries were:
| Country | BRIC Letter |
| Brazil | B |
| Russia | R |
| India | I |
| China | C |
When Is BRICS Summit 2026?
The 18th BRICS Summit will be held on September 12th and 13th 2026, in New Delhi. India is hosting the summit as the BRICS Chair for 2026. The year also marks 20 years of BRICS since its establishment.
Where Is BRICS Summit 2026 Being Held?
The BRICS Summit 2026 will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Bharat Mandapam is the same major convention venue that hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2023.
What Is the Theme of BRICS Summit 2026?
India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. The theme shows India’s focus on making BRICS cooperation more practical across areas such as development, technology, sustainability and global cooperation.
Why Is BRICS Summit 2026 Important?
The 2026 summit is important because India is hosting the leaders meeting at a time when BRICS has expanded beyond its original five-member structure. The summit is expected to focus on areas such as global governance, trade, investment, technology, food security, energy security and cooperation among member countries.
What Will Be Discussed at BRICS Summit 2026?
Some of the key areas expected to be discussed include global governance and multilateralism, trade and investment, food and energy security, technology and artificial intelligence, health cooperation, disaster resilience, critical supply chains and sustainable development.
How Did BRICS Start?
The term BRIC was used for Brazil, Russia, India and China. The first BRIC Leaders Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009. South Africa joined the following year turning BRIC into BRICS.
How Has BRICS Expanded?
BRICS has expanded considerably since South Africa became its first new member. In recent years the grouping added more countries increasing its geographical and economic reach. This expansion has made BRICS an important platform for cooperation among emerging and developing economies.
What is the full form of BRICS?
BRICS originally represents B is for Brazil, R is for Russia, I is for India, C is for China and S is for South Africa. The name comes from the first letters of the original member countries.
Jasreet Kaur is a journalist with over 3 years of experience in digital media and news content creation. She specializes in covering Trending News, including major National and International developments, with a focus on delivering accurate, engaging, and reader-friendly stories. Prior to this, she worked with Zee News as a Content Writer, where she gained extensive experience in news reporting and content strategy. Driven by curiosity, credibility, and a passion for impactful journalism, Jasreet aims to contribute to informed public discourse while supporting positive growth in organizations, society, and the world.
