AKIPRESS.COM - Iran has applied for joining the group of five major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, a spokesman said, Tasnim reported.

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced at a press conference on Monday that the Islamic Republic has submitted its application for membership in the BRICS.

A series of consultations have been held in this regard, Saeed Khatibzadeh added.

He said although the BRICS is not a treaty or an international agreement, it has been based on a very creative mechanism with broad aspects.

The spokesman noted that the BRICS members make up 30 percent of the world’s gross production and 40 percent of the world’s population.

He expressed hope that Iran’s membership in the BRICS would result in “added values” for both sides.

Addressing a virtual summit of the BRICS Business Forum, which was attended by the group’s top leaders on Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed the country’s readiness to share its vast capabilities and potentials to help the BRICS attain its goals.

Argentina expressed readiness to join BRICS as well. President Alberto Fernandez said his country strives to join BRICS, since this coalition represents 42% of global population and 24% of global gross production.

The Chinese Foreign Minister said earlier Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt expressed willingness to join BRICS.