Nearly two decades ago, Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) set out to give emerging economies a greater voice in global governance. South Africa joined in 2010, turning BRIC into BRICS. The grouping now has 11 full members, spanning major consumer markets, manufacturing economies, energy powers and some of the world's fastest-growing economies. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joined in 2024, followed by Indonesia in 2025.