The United Arab Emirates is a rapidly developing nation with strong economic and political ambitions. Pursuing strategic goals of diversification, the UAE is actively expanding its international connections and aiming to strengthen its position on the global stage. This initiative is taking place amid significant changes in global politics, as the longstanding world order, which has shaped the rules of engagement for many years, increasingly shows its inability to account for the interests of non-Western countries like the UAE.
Faced with the challenges of the old system, the UAE is actively seeking ways to reinforce its independence. Joining BRICS on January 1, 2024 was a crucial step in this direction, providing not only a reduction in reliance on Western countries but also the opportunity to promote its own interests on a global level. The BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa, serves as an alternative platform where the interests of developing and rapidly growing economies are considered equally.
For Abu Dhabi, membership of BRICS represents a significant strategic reorientation. The UAE is aiming to build its international relations with greater flexibility and to diversify its economic partnerships, which will be a key step in reinforcing its sovereignty and resilience amid global uncertainty.
What does the UAE gain from BRICS?
Membership of BRICS opens significant opportunities for the UAE to strengthen its position on the global stage. With one of the most rapidly developing economies in the region, the UAE aims to diversify its international economic ties and reduce dependence on traditional partners. Joining BRICS grants the UAE better access to several large and promising markets, which will allow it to expand trade and reinforce investment ties.
The combined GDP of BRICS countries constitutes a substantial part of the global economy, and participation in this alliance creates new prospects for the UAE to grow its exports and imports. In 2023, for example, China’s GDP reached $17.96 trillion, India’s $3.4 trillion, and Russia’s $1.7 trillion. These figures demonstrate the immense economic potential now accessible to the UAE.
Membership of BRICS also opens pathways for attracting significant investment, which is particularly important for the development of the UAE’s infrastructure, technology, and industry. In 2023, BRICS countries saw a substantial increase in foreign direct investment, highlighting high investor interest and presenting new opportunities for the UAE.
Another key advantage of BRICS membership is access to the organization’s financial resources. The BRICS-established New Development Bank provides funding for major infrastructure projects and fosters economic development among member states. The UAE can leverage these resources to undertake large-scale projects that will contribute to its economic growth and modernization. Additionally, BRICS membership aligns with the UAE’s political ambitions by allowing it to actively shape the global agenda and ensure its influence in international processes.
As the world transitions toward a multipolar system in which developing countries play a more prominent role, BRICS participation offers the UAE a platform from which to promote its own interests, such as energy security, sustainable development, and trade issues. Moreover, BRICS membership reduces dependence on traditional Western partners, enabling the UAE to conduct a more flexible and balanced foreign policy, establishing relationships with various countries and blocs on equal terms.
Despite the clear advantages, BRICS membership presents certain challenges. The UAE may face difficulties in adapting to the economic and political approaches of BRICS countries, as the alliance comprises nations with diverse economic structures and development levels. However, the UAE’s flexibility and willingness to compromise, core to its foreign policy strategy, will help it overcome these challenges.
Another potential risk is the reaction from traditional Western partners, who may view this step as a threat to their influence in the region. Nonetheless, for the UAE, participation in BRICS is fundamentally a path to strengthening its independence and autonomy, while remaining committed to the principles of multilateral diplomacy and cooperation.
Overall, despite the challenges, the benefits of BRICS membership for the UAE far outweigh any possible risks. Participation in the bloc enables the UAE to develop trade and investment relations, advance its interests globally, and establish stable mechanisms for economic growth. Amid global instability and change, the UAE can, through BRICS, reinforce its position in international politics and the economy, contributing to a more balanced and multipolar global order.
A mutually beneficial partnership
The entry of the UAE, with one of the most advanced economies in the Arab world, opens new horizons for all BRICS members by granting access to a strategically significant region and a rapidly growing economy. With a GDP of $421 billion in 2023, the UAE already holds a leading position in the Arab world. The country’s economy is characterized by high growth rates, diversification, and a high per capita income of around $47,000. These indicators make the UAE an attractive partner for BRICS, expanding the bloc’s economic potential. The UAE's membership of BRICS strengthens its overall economic weight, providing access to financial resources and substantial investment opportunities in the Gulf region, which is considered one of the most promising in the world by capital volume.
In addition, the UAE occupies a strategically important geographical position at the intersection of trade routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa. This offers BRICS the potential to strengthen its logistics and trade links with various regions, increasing trade volumes and investment flows. Currently, approximately 40% of global maritime shipping passes through the Strait of Hormuz, controlled by Gulf countries, including the UAE. The UAE’s position on this trade route makes it an ideal partner for supporting the development of infrastructure and logistics projects, especially within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, backed by some BRICS countries. Thus, the UAE’s participation may accelerate the implementation of strategic projects that enhance BRICS’ role in international trade.
Beyond economic factors, the UAE’s participation in BRICS brings substantial political advantages. The UAE wields significant influence in the Arab and Muslim world, making it a crucial partner for BRICS in expanding the bloc’s political influence in the region. As BRICS aims to create a more multipolar world and reduce the influence of Western countries in international processes, UAE membership provides additional diplomatic leverage to the bloc. The UAE, like other BRICS countries, supports the idea of an international system where the interests of developing nations are considered equally alongside those of Western states. In this way, the UAE’s involvement helps strengthen BRICS as a global coalition of nations striving for a fairer distribution of power worldwide.
However, despite all these benefits, UAE membership of BRICS may present certain challenges. One of these relates to differences in economic and political priorities. The economic interests of BRICS countries are not uniform, and the integration of a new country requires effort to reach consensus on key issues such as energy and trade. Differences in approaches to foreign policy and the potential impact on relations with Western countries may also be obstacles. It is important to note, however, that the UAE’s multivector foreign policy approach allows it to flexibly balance its interests, which mitigates these potential risks.
Overall, the benefits of UAE membership in BRICS far outweigh the potential difficulties. The bloc’s strength and resilience grow with this new partner, which brings a developed economy and strategically important location. The UAE’s involvement boosts the investment and trade potential of BRICS, providing access to the financial resources and opportunities of the Gulf region.
On the path to a fair world order
As previously noted, BRICS and the United Arab Emirates share a common goal of creating a more fair and balanced global order in which the economic and political interests of all countries are valued equally alongside those of traditional Western powers. At the heart of this vision lies the idea of moving away from an outdated model of global governance dominated by a few developed nations and towards a multipolar system that places greater emphasis on state sovereignty and equality. The foreign policy stance of BRICS countries is aimed at establishing conditions where not only the major Western economies but also developing nations can participate equally in addressing global issues. This approach is reflected in initiatives such as the New Development Bank and BRICS cooperation mechanisms, which provide developing countries with access to financial resources and alternatives to Western financial institutions.
The UAE, despite its historically close ties with the West, also supports a multi-directional approach, seeking to reinforce its economic and political independence. Joining BRICS allows the UAE to complement its existing partnerships within an emerging multipolar world and to avoid dependence on any one side. The alignment between BRICS and the UAE lies in their shared understanding of the need for a more equitable global framework, where the interests of economies in development are considered equally with those of traditional global centers. Combining efforts in this direction creates potential for establishing more favorable conditions that support sustainable development, protect economic interests, and maintain political autonomy for each bloc member. BRICS and the UAE see this partnership as an opportunity to strengthen their positions in global politics and economics, safeguarding their interests and advancing the principles of equal participation.
The similarity in their approaches is also evident in the desire to reduce dependency on the US dollar and Western financial systems, thereby granting more freedom to developing markets. Within BRICS, initiatives are being discussed to create mechanisms for transactions in national currencies and to reduce the role of the dollar, which would enable countries to avoid currency risks and dependence on US foreign policy decisions. With its strong economy and status as one of the largest exporters of oil and gas, the UAE can support this initiative, contributing to greater economic independence from Western financial centers. UAE support strengthens BRICS’ initiatives to build a more independent and fair financial system, which will create more favorable and stable conditions for economic growth and cooperation.
In summary, it can be assumed that UAE membership in BRICS is beneficial for both sides. BRICS gains access to the resources and economic opportunities of the Gulf region, while the UAE enhances its international standing as part of a bloc focused on establishing a fair global order. Amid rising global instability and an increasing need for resilient international connections, the combined efforts of BRICS countries and the UAE could form a foundation for a more balanced and stable international system, ensuring a future where the interests of all nations are respected and valued.