Speaking at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that his country would assume the group’s rotating presidency next year.
As part of this role, China will host the 19th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in 2027. The Chinese city that will host the summit has not yet been announced.
Summits hosted by China
China has previously hosted three BRICS summits. The five-member core group took shape with South Africa’s participation at the 3rd BRICS Leaders’ Summit, held in 2011 in Sanya, Hainan province.
At the 9th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, held in 2017 in Xiamen, Fujian province, the group decided to implement the expanded “BRICS Plus” cooperation model, which provides for leaders of countries outside the group to be invited to the summits.
China’s most recent hosting was the 14th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, held online with moderation from Beijing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Xi Jinping’s call at the summit for “more comprehensive and inclusive cooperation,” six countries were invited to join the group in 2023.
BRICS reaches 11 members
BRICS was established in 2009 as a forum bringing together major emerging economies under the name “BRIC,” formed by China, Russia, Brazil and India. The group was renamed “BRICS” after South Africa joined in 2011.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined the group in 2024, while Indonesia joined in 2025. With these additions, BRICS’ membership rose to 11.
Following its expansion, BRICS became a group representing approximately half of the world’s population and around 40 percent of global economic output.
