The influential BRICS alliance, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has welcomed six new nations into its ranks.

On Thursday, the group announced the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates, signaling a broadening of its geographic and economic scope.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the host of the current three-day leadership summit in Johannesburg, stated that these nations would officially join BRICS starting January 1, 2024.

“BRICS has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, just, inclusive, and prosperous,” Ramaphosa emphasized, noting that this initial expansion phase garnered unanimous support among members, with future phases to follow.

Each new nation’s entry into BRICS seems to align with the interests of current members. Argentina’s addition, for instance, came after vigorous endorsement by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Russia and India’s commercial ties with Egypt, Russia’s economic collaboration with Iran amidst U.S.-led sanctions, and China’s close relationship with Ethiopia highlight some of the intricate connections and shared goals behind this expansion.

China’s President Xi Jinping hailed the expansion, stating, “This membership expansion is historic. It shows the determination of BRICS countries for unity and cooperation with the broader developing countries.”

However, internal differences remain a challenge for the alliance. The member countries have a wide variety of economic scales and often disparate foreign policy objectives, creating potential challenges for the bloc’s consensus decision-making model.

However, BRICS represents around 40% of the global population and a quarter of the world’s GDP. Their collective voice, though occasionally discordant, has been consistent in challenging the prevailing global power structures, pledging “A New World Order.”

Additionally, three of the new members from the Middle East include are major oil producers. According to data from the US Energy Information Administration, Saudi Arabia was ranked as the second-largest oil producer in the world in 2022.The UAE and Iran are ranked as sixth and ninth, respectively. When you add in Russia, ranking third in global oil output, BRICS has now wields four of the world’s top 10 energy exporters.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, attending the expansion announcement, reiterated BRICS’ calls for reforms in key international institutions.

“For multilateral institutions to remain truly universal, they must reform to reflect today’s power and economic realities,” Guterres pointed out.

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, attending the summit remotely, commented on the evolving world order and the role of BRICS: “BRICS is not competing with anyone. But it’s also obvious that this process of the emerging of a new world order still has fierce opponents.”

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi viewed his nation’s inclusion as a sign of changing global dynamics. “The expansion of BRICS shows that the unilateral approach is on the way to decay,” he was quoted as saying.

As BRICS expands its reach and influence, the west had better pay attention. Their stated desire for “a new world order” will not bode well for the rest of the world.