The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt are among six nations that have been invited to join the BRICS group of nations.
The other three invited countries are Argentina, Iran and Ethiopia.
The three-day summit of BRICS, the trade group which originally comprises of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, was dominated by discussions on expanding the bloc, and a decision was finally reached on Thursday morning with an announcement from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The new membership will be effective from January 1, 2024.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Rule of Abu Dhabi, welcomed the decision with a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The UAE President posted: “We respect the vision of the BRICS leadership and appreciate the inclusion of the UAE as a member to this 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.”
Ramaphosa told a joint media briefing: “As five BRICS countries, we have reached an agreement on the guiding principles, standards, criteria, and procedures on the BRICS expansion process which has been in discussion for quite a while.
“We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process and other phases will follow.”
RAK Ruler represents UAE at the BRICS Summit
A high-level UAE delegate was present in Johannesburg on behalf of Sheikh Mohamed. Led by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
Included in the delegation were Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Mahash Saeed Al Hameli, UAE Ambassador to South Africa; and a number of senior officials.
Discussions on expanding BRICS membership and addressing several global economic issues was among the UAE delegation’s main agenda.
Follow us on
