The Brics group of nations is formulating criteria for joining the bloc and may decide by the end of this year on whether to admit new nations and who those nations will be, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor said.

“Countries are searching for like-minded partners around the world,” she said at a press conference on Thursday. “Many countries are finding that the approach of Brics is one they would like to take part” in, she said.

South Africa is the chair of Brics this year. The group consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.