The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 20th that the country has officially applied to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. According to the Azerbaijan News Agency, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aihan Hajizad announced the news on the same day. In July of this year, the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. During the summit, Azerbaijan expressed its willingness to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. In 2006, the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China held their first meeting, marking the beginning of BRICS cooperation. In response to the financial crisis, the leaders of the four countries held their first meeting in Russia in June 2009, and the cooperation mechanism among BRICS countries was officially launched. In December 2010, on the basis of consensus, the four countries officially admitted South Africa to the mechanism. On August 24, 2023, the special press conference of the 15th BRICS Leaders' Meeting announced the invitation for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran, and Ethiopia to officially become members of the BRICS family, with their membership taking effect from January 1, 2024. (New Society)