United Arab Emirates joins BRICS Group

Fri 25/8/2023
General
The United Arab Emirates officially joined the BRICS group after a successful application ratified by the five founding nations, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa. The announcement was made as leaders of the five countries met from August 22-24 in Johannesburg for the 15th BRICS summit.

The UAE is committed to multilateral action, and constructive dialogue which is fostered through active platforms that represent developing and emerging economies at an international level. In this regard, becoming a member of an extended BRICS grouping reflects the UAE’s keenness to champion the value of multilateralism in supporting peace, and development for the benefit and the wellbeing of peoples and nations across the world.

The UAE has been a long-term partner of the BRICS group, having participated in June’s ‘Friends of BRICS’ forum in Cape Town, convened as part of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting, chaired by the Republic of South Africa. The UAE also joined the BRICS New Development Bank in October 2021, after it was established in 2015 to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets, developing countries, and BRICS nations.

Commenting on the UAE’s successful application to join BRICS, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “We express our appreciation to the five founding members of this important grouping, with our successful application reflecting BRICs' approach to partnerships and its strong spirit of friendship.”

His Highness added: “This development forms part of the UAE's commitment to promoting constructive dialogue through active platforms that represent developing and emerging economies, and the country’s focus on long-term economic prosperity and maintaining balanced strategic and economic relations—including with international organisations—in an ever-evolving world order. The UAE has consistently championed the value of multilateralism in supporting peace, security, and development globally.”

For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, stated: “We express our appreciation regarding the agreement of the leaders of the BRICS countries on the inclusion of the UAE in this important group as of January 2024, and we are grateful for their confidence in this regard. The UAE seeks to support multilateralism and partnerships to achieve development, prosperity and benefit for all countries and peoples.”

HE Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan continued: ”The UAE's inclusion in the BRICS group reflects its keenness on international and multilateral cooperation to achieve sustainable development for all countries around the world.”

Commenting on this occasion, His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State, stressed: “The UAE is a global hub for trade and economic development, with a foreign policy focused on supporting long-term economic prosperity. The country adopts innovative strategies, and is working to build an economy based on knowledge and diversity, reinforced by scientific and technological progress.”

HE Al Sayegh emphasized: “Over the past five decades, the UAE has worked to strengthen international partnerships. Its membership in BRICS reflects the country’s open approach to reinforcing collaboration with international economic institutions. The UAE is moving rapidly to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of its economy while exploring new opportunities.”

For her part, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said: “We are pleased to join the BRICS group, which the UAE recognizes as a mechanism to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity.”

HE Al Hashimy concluded: “The UAE believes in championing multilateralism and actively contributing to important international arenas. This includes engaging with BRICS, participating regularly in the G20 process, and hosting the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) climate conference in November.
“The UAE stresses that the future of global security and prosperity relies on strong multilateral partnerships and cooperation on the international level, and a shared commitment to achieving stability and development.”

Related News

Mon 02/11/2026
General
UAE Condemns Targeting of Qatar Gas Transport Company LNG Tanker

The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the attack targeting the liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Al Mayeda, owned by Qatar Gas Transport Company, in the Arabian Gulf.

View Details
Sun 01/11/2026
General
UAE Expresses Solidarity with Syria and Conveys Condolences over Victims of Heavy Rainfall and Floods

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic over the victims of floods following the heavy rainfall in eastern Syria, which resulted in a number of deaths, injuries, and missing people.

View Details
Sat 31/10/2026
General
UAE Expresses Solidarity with India and Conveys Condolences over Victims of Helicopter Crash

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Republic of India over the victims of a helicopter crash in the state of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas, which resulted in a number of deaths.

View Details
Fri 30/10/2026
General
On Behalf of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.E. Saeed Al Hajeri Leads UAE Delegation to Autumn Economic Forum

On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State, led the UAE delegation participating in the Autumn Economic Forum 2026, which was held on October 28 in Ho Chi Minh City, in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

View Details

Did you find this content useful?

You can help us improve by providing your feedback about your experience.

Have you used our services at our service centre or digitally recently?