Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Join BRICS as Partners

PM in a family photograph with Members, Partners and Outreach invitees on the sidelines of 17th BRICS Summit at Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil on July 07, 2025. Photo: Wikipedia

At the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro on 6–7 July 2025, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were officially welcomed as partner countries of the BRICS group. The announcement was part of a broader declaration by the bloc, which reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Global South and reforming global governance to better reflect contemporary realities.

The inclusion of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, alongside countries such as Belarus, Bolivia, Nigeria and Vietnam, marks a notable expansion of BRICS’ outreach to emerging economies. While not full members, these nations are expected to contribute to the group’s broader strategic aims — including a more equitable international order, stronger multilateralism and reform of global financial institutions.

BRICS leaders acknowledged the growing influence of countries outside the traditional Western-centric order. As such, the expansion of the partnership framework signals a deliberate shift toward a multipolar world in which developing nations have a stronger voice. The declaration called for «greater and more meaningful participation» of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs), especially from Africa and Central Asia, in shaping global decisions.

A Shared Vision for the Global South

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan’s partnership with BRICS aligns with their increasing engagement in multilateral cooperation and ambition to contribute to global policy reforms. Both countries have made concerted efforts in recent years to modernise their economies, enhance regional stability and diversify foreign relations — efforts which complement BRICS’ vision of shared development and inclusive governance.

The summit also highlighted key areas where BRICS intends to work closely with its partners, including the governance of artificial intelligence, climate finance, public health, trade reform and the transformation of institutions like the UN and IMF. BRICS members underscored the need to rebalance global governance structures and called for fairer representation of developing nations in decision-making bodies.

Other BRICS partner countries named in the 2025 declaration include Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand and Uganda. While the nature of each partnership may vary, the overarching goal remains clear: to foster cooperation among a wider coalition of countries that share an interest in reshaping international norms toward fairness, sovereignty and inclusivity.

The Rio summit, held under the theme Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance, underscored BRICS’ intention to not only expand in size but to amplify its influence as a global platform for equitable development and strategic cooperation. For Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, participation as BRICS partners marks another step in their broader international integration and a signal of their growing role on the world stage.

Kursiv also reports that US President Donald Trump has warned that countries aligning with BRICS’ anti-American agenda will face a 10% tariff, raising concerns for Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.