section_path: Countries that have applied for membership
section_name: Countries that have applied for membership
paragraph_text: Countries that have applied for membership
  
  While Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were not admitted as members during the 15th BRICS summit, they were among 22 countries applying for membership. South African Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said “There is a second batch of countries that are going to be added BRICS." This means that there are plans for further BRICS expansion and the following countries are possible candidates due to their applications for membership.