The document discusses the BRICS group, which is an association of 5 major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS group represents around 3 billion people, or about 40 percent of the world's population. Together, the BRICS countries make up over 25% of the world's land area and account for over 20% of global GDP. The formation of the BRICS group was intended to promote cooperation between the five countries in financial and economic areas.