The United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially entered a new era of global cooperation as Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, participated in the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. This marked the first gathering of the association since its expansion to include the UAE and several other countries.
The expansion signifies a shift in the global political landscape, with the rise of new power centers in the developing world. This "Global South and East, " as referred to by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, advocates for a multipolar world order based on sovereign equality and respect for diverse civilizations.
Bin Zayed's presence at the meeting reflects the UAE's commitment to this new paradigm. He expressed his hope that the UAE's membership would "serve as an additional incentive to further solidify bilateral relations among member states. " He emphasized the UAE's unwavering dedication to international law and core principles such as respecting state sovereignty and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Security and economic cooperation dominated the two-day meeting's agenda. The BRICS members, now including the UAE, represent a significant portion of the global population and hold immense economic clout. Discussions focused on ways to leverage this collective strength to address pressing global challenges, including food security, energy transition, and sustainable development.
The UAE, a major oil producer and a hub for innovation, brings valuable expertise to the table. AlMazrouei, the UAE's Minister of State for Economic Affairs, reiterated the country's willingness to collaborate with BRICS partners on sustainable transportation solutions, a crucial factor in mitigating climate change.
The BRICS expansion and the UAE's inclusion are being watched with keen interest by the international community. This new configuration has the potential to reshape global governance and redefine the rules of international cooperation. Whether it can effectively address complex challenges and deliver tangible benefits for its member states and the wider world remains to be seen. However, the initial discussions in Nizhny Novgorod offer a glimpse into a more multipolar world order, where emerging economies play a more prominent role.