https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/brics-2023-summit-new-members-saudi-uae-iran-b2398553.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/brics

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/brics-2023-summit-new-members-saudi-uae-iran-b2398553.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/brics-2023-s... : “South Africa said that more than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining Brics and 22 have formally requested to be admitted.” and “The membership of the new members will come into effect from 1 January 2024, Mr Ramaphosa said.” I assume the 6 being invited are a subset of those 22. So it seems “invited” is a diplomatic way of saying that the other 16 got held back at the door, at least for now.