Initially limited to the financial domain, the term BRICS is gradually becoming established in global economic governance. Its influence, due largely to the proportion of global wealth held by BRICS countries, primarily takes the form of the demand for a new role within international institutions. New financial institutions are coming into being. The group's latest expansion, at the Johannesburg summit, will doubtless improve neither the real global influence of BRICS countries— except as regards oil—nor their cohesion.