The Russian Foreign Ministry said that a dozen countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS

He noted that many "influential, authoritative states" are showing a desire to join cooperation within the BRICS framework.

“And what to hide - a dozen countries in one form or another have already expressed interest in joining this group,” RIA Novosti quoted Ryabkov as saying on Channel One.

Earlier, the BRICS countries confirmed the need to reform the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).