Saqr Ghobash: BRICS Group to Play a Major Role in Shaping the Global Economic Landscape
Johannesburg, His Excellency Saqr Ghobash, President of the Federal National Council, affirmed that the "BRICS" group, with its combined Gross Domestic Product, will account for approximately one-third of the global GDP after the inclusion of six new member countries. This alliance holds significant human potential, advanced technological and industrial components that can play a pivotal role in shaping the future global economic landscape and focusing global attention on various pressing issues. Among the most significant are climate change, energy security, innovation, increased investment in new technologies, and the opening of new trade corridors and supply chains.
This was highlighted in His Excellency's speech during the opening session of the ninth Parliamentary Forum of BRICS member states, held under the theme "Leveraging Multilateralism and Parliamentary Diplomacy to Deepen the BRICS-Africa Partnership for Accelerating the Implementation of the African Free Trade Agreement" in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Council's delegation participated in the opening session, attended by His Excellency Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, His Excellency Sarah Falaknaz, and Khaled Al Kharji, members of the Federal National Council, Dr. Omar Al Nuaimi, the Council's Secretary-General, and Tariq Ahmed Al Marzouqi, Deputy Secretary-General for the Council Presidency Affairs, in the presence of His Excellency Mahsh Saeed Al Hamli, the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to South Africa.
At the beginning of his address, His Excellency Saqr Ghobash extended his thanks and appreciation, on behalf of the leaders and people of the United Arab Emirates, to the five founding members of BRICS for welcoming them as full members of the group. He referenced the statement made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State, expressing, "We appreciate the agreement of the BRICS leaders to include the United Arab Emirates in this important group, and we look forward to working together for the prosperity and benefit of all countries and peoples worldwide."
His Excellency emphasized that the United Arab Emirates, through its diplomatic engagement, aims to achieve and strengthen regional and international stability and ease tensions in the Middle East region and beyond. He highlighted several examples, including the approach taken by the United Arab Emirates through the "Abrahamic Peace Accord" and its sponsorship and adoption of the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 to promote the principles of coexistence, tolerance, and peace among followers of different religions.
His Excellency stated, "The United Arab Emirates is hosting the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), where we seek to unify global opinion and efforts to shift international policies towards the practical implementation of clean and renewable energy. He emphasized that addressing the repercussions of climate change and preserving the planet is a shared responsibility of all countries, both in the North and the South."
His Excellency stressed that the United Arab Emirates' membership in the BRICS group aligns with their priorities, emphasizing the importance of building balanced strategic and economic relations that contribute to sustainable international economic prosperity within an international system where countries share common duties, responsibilities, and benefits.
He added that strengthening the partnership between the BRICS group and Africa and accelerating the implementation of the African Free Trade Agreement will contribute to creating a single market for goods and services across the entire continent, with a population of over 1.3 billion people and a GDP exceeding 3 trillion US dollars.
He highlighted the United Arab Emirates' support for efforts to work and cooperate with African countries to promote sustainable economic and social growth. He explained that a practical example of this approach is the announcement made during the African Climate Summit held in Nairobi in early September of an Emirati funding initiative worth $4.5 billion to boost Africa's capabilities in clean energy. He added that the Federal National Council is committed to enhancing its sustainable cooperation with the parliaments of African countries and building parliamentary partnership frameworks to eliminate any obstacles or difficulties in implementing economic cooperation agreements with countries on the continent.
Berex Paul Machtel, Vice President of the Republic of South Africa, inaugurated the ninth Parliamentary Forum of BRICS member states and focused his speech on the importance of a just legal system, transitioning to a multipolar world, deepening globalization, exploring new trade and investment horizons, and promoting peace and security among international countries. He emphasized the common economic growth, cooperation, and mutually beneficial interaction for the peoples of the world, in the light of ongoing dialogue among the world's civilizations for the benefit of humanity.