SHAPING MARKET ALLIANCES
UAE's Participation in BRICS
UAE's Accession to brics
Building Long Term Alliances Through Collaboration
The UAE’s accession to BRICS in January 2024 reflects its commitment to a multi-aligned foreign policy and interest in deepening engagement with emerging economies. This step complements existing partnerships and aligns with the country’s broader economic development goals.
Through BRICS, the UAE is exploring opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, climate, and infrastructure. Strategic connectivity initiatives, including key trade corridors, are potential avenues for enhanced cooperation, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a regional and global hub.
BRICS is a strategic alliance originally formed by five major emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to promote a more multipolar world and strengthen the Global South’s role in global affairs.
The alliance expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Originally focused on economic cooperation, it has grown into a political and economic platform advocating for reforms to traditional global institutions.
All BRICS members have equal status and rotate leadership annually. Participation is voluntary and based on national interests, allowing flexible, issue-based engagement. New members integrate into existing structures, join the Sherpa and Finance Tracks.
As a new member of the BRICS alliance, the UAE is committed to supporting the economic growth of the other BRICS members by fostering initiatives and interventions that drive greater collaboration and cooperation among the nations. Leveraging the UAE’s proven success in trade, investment and digital technology, BRICS nations can uncover opportunities for growth and development.
The UAE Chapter of the BRICS Business Council, chaired by H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, is one of nine national chapters in a 45-member council of senior business leaders from each BRICS country.
Each chapter includes five members who guide nine sectoral working groups, which develop recommendations to enhance South-South economic cooperation.
Driving Global Collaboration
UAE’s Leadership for the BRICS National Chapter
H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
Chairperson of UAE Chapter
Group Chairman & CEO, DP World
Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation
Member of Board of Directors at Dubai International Chamber
H.E. Mohammed AlSuwaidi
Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX)
H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri
Director General, Department of Economy and Tourism – Dubai
Member of Executive Council –Dubai
Director General of Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC)
Hana Al Rostamani
Group CEO, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Board Member of Buna, the Institute of International Finance
Omar Abdullah AlFuttaim
Vice Chairman & CEO, Al Futtaim Group
Working groups
Working Groups of the BRICS Business Council
The BRICS Business Council (BBC) serves as a platform connecting businesses with BRICS governments to foster and strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties among member nations. Its primary objective is to develop recommendations aimed at improving the business environment and present them to the BRICS Leaders.
The BBC is composed of 45 senior executives and business leaders (Chairs and Co-chairs), who set strategic priorities, represent their respective countries, and report the Council’s recommendations to BRICS leadership.
BRICS Snapshot
29%
Global GDP
GLPO member countries together account for nearly a third of global economic output.
46%
Global Population
GLPO member states represent close to half of the world’s population.
25%
Global Exports
A significant portion of the world’s goods exports originate from member economies.
43%
Global Oil Production
With the inclusion of leading energy producers, member countries contribute nearly half of the world’s oil output
UAE Members of the BRICS Business Council
Global Logistics Summit 2026
UAE, Dubai
The Global Logistics Summit 2026 will mark a bold step in reimagining global trade. Bringing together industry leaders and governments, unveiling the Global Logistics Platform – an initiative to shape resilient, connected, and future-ready supply chains worldwide.