UAE’s BRICS Membership Expands Partnerships, Strengthens Global Trade, Investment Role
The UAE is participating in the 18th BRICS Summit, hosted in New Delhi, India, on September 12th and 13rd, 2026, as a full member since January 2024. Its membership in the group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, supports the country's economic and trade goals, bolstering its presence in global markets.
The UAE's membership in BRICS gains significance due to the bloc's economic clout:
- BRICS countries collectively represent around 49.5% of the world's population, nearly 40% of global GDP, and 26% of global trade.
- The UAE's approach of economic openness and diverse partnerships aligns with BRICS membership, fostering trade corridors, investment channels, and cooperation with emerging economies.
Non-oil foreign trade between the UAE and BRICS nations exceeded $312 billion in 2025, up from $243 billion in 2024, a 28.5% growth. BRICS countries account for 31% of the UAE's total non-oil foreign trade, 34% of imports, 23% of non-oil exports, and 28% of re-exports.
This growth is supported by:
- Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs): The UAE has signed 38 agreements since 2021, including with India and Indonesia, both BRICS members.
- Leading trading partners: China and India are the UAE's top trading partners within BRICS, with non-oil trade reaching $111.5 billion with China in 2025 and $107.5 billion with India in H1 2026.
- Trade and Investment Agreements: The Trade in Services and Investment Agreement with Russia is in force, expanding cooperation in services and value-added investments, complementing the UAE-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Russia reached $20.4 billion in 2025, a 77.7% increase from 2024. Bilateral trade with Brazil exceeded $5.4 billion, with growing cooperation in investment, infrastructure, and logistics.
The UAE's BRICS membership further solidifies its role as a global logistics hub.