On August 24th, 2023, during the 15th BRICS summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made a significant announcement by officially becoming a member of the BRICS group. This strategic move is anticipated to have a profound impact on both the UAE’s economic prowess and its global reputation.
With its distinguished status as a pivotal trade and financial hub, the UAE’s inclusion in BRICS is anticipated to furnish remarkable advantages for its economy and global influence. By gaining entry to a larger market and novel investment prospects, the UAE stands to capitalize on its membership in the BRICS consortium. This step aligns well with the UAE’s established commitment to multilateralism and international collaboration, fortifying its voice on the global platform.
In an online message, United Arab Emirates leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the BRICS announcement and said his nation would be joining an “important group”. “We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world,” Sheikh Mohammed said on X (formerly Twitter).
The decision to extend membership to the UAE was met with approval from the founding members of BRICS. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro expressed optimism that the UAE’s involvement would greatly enrich BRICS, fostering objectives such as peace, security, and prosperity. Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the UAE’s inclusion as indicative of BRICS’ increasing significance, poised to confront the challenges of the modern era.
This landmark development in the UAE’s affiliation with BRICS holds implications that ripple across the global economic landscape and geopolitical realm. As a prominent player in the Middle East and North Africa, the UAE’s newfound BRICS participation positions it with a heightened influence in worldwide affairs. Furthermore, considering the UAE’s close partnership with the United States, its BRICS membership carries implications for the bloc’s growing prominence in the global economic arena.
The BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — agreed at their annual summit to make Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1st 2024.