This was announced by South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.
"We have received official expressions of interest from the leaders of 23 countries to join the BRICS, and even more unofficial requests for BRICS membership opportunities," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.
Naledi noted that such a high interest confirms the status of BRICS as an advanced organization.
Earlier, Pandor said that the President of the Republic of South Africa (South Africa) Cyril Ramaphosa invited the leaders of 67 African countries and the Global South, as well as 20 representatives of organizations to meetings on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. It is noted that at least 34 countries have confirmed their participation.