The invitation extended to the United Arab Emirates to join BRICS is a testimony to the country's successful foreign policy, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the BRICS leaders have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to join the group. Their accession will become effective on January 1, 2024.
"The approval the UAE's application to join BRICS represents a success for the balanced foreign policy pursued by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan," the UAE prime minister said on X.
The expansion of BRICS is a "continuation of the group's philosophy based on positive multilateral international partnership," he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Al Nahyan thanked the BRICS leaders for approving the UAE's application to join the bloc and expressed his hope for "a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world."
BRICS unites the world's largest developing economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. About two dozen countries have expressed their interest in joining the bloc, South Africa's BRICS Sherpa Anil Sooklal said earlier this month.