H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, have engaged in discussions aimed at further enhancing bilateral relations, building on the deep-rooted and longstanding ties between the two nations, which serve as a solid foundation for expanding cooperation across essential sectors in support of sustainable development goals and shared interests.
The meeting occurred during the reception of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit.
At the outset of the meeting, the Brazilian President warmly welcomed the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and his accompanying delegation, emphasizing the strength and depth of bilateral relations between Brazil and the United Arab Emirates.
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, along with heartfelt wishes for the President’s ongoing health and wellbeing, as well as enduring progress and prosperity for Brazil and its people.
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed also expressed genuine appreciation for the generous hospitality and warm welcome extended to His Highness and the accompanying UAE delegation.
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s pride in its strategic partnership with Brazil, a pioneering relationship built on decades of cooperation, mutual respect, and shared interests.
Celebrating 50 years of cooperation
Moreover, H.H. highlighted that the 50-year bond reflects the vision of both nations’ leadership in fostering collaboration across vital sectors, promoting inclusive and sustainable development for the mutual benefit of both countries.
In response, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva requested that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi convey his sincere greetings to the President of the UAE, along with his best wishes for the ongoing success and development of the UAE and its people.
The meeting reviewed the progress of UAE-Brazil relations, a five-decade journey characterized by sustained coordination and fruitful cooperation, supported by a shared commitment to advancing the partnership in priority sectors aligned with mutual interests and evolving development objectives.
The meeting was attended by Reem Al Hashimy, UAE minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of Foreign Trade; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE minister of State; Saif Saeed Ghobash, secretary-general of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince; Maryam Eid AlMheiri, chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Media Office and advisor of Strategic Relations at the Crown Prince Court; and Saleh Ahmad Salem Alsuwaidi, ambassador of the UAE to Brazil.
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has headed the UAE delegation at the 17th BRICS Summit.
This year’s summit, chaired by Brazil, is anchored under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” It has gathered heads of state and government from BRICS member countries, leaders of invited nations, and representatives from regional and international organizations.
Building sustainable partnerships
During the summit, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan delivered the UAE’s address, extending the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the participating countries, along with sincere wishes for the summit’s success in promoting balanced international partnerships rooted in cooperation, development, and mutual respect.
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored the significance of BRICS as a fundamental platform for enhancing mutual understanding and achieving strategic alignment in tackling urgent global challenges, whether they are economic, humanitarian, or connected to escalating geopolitical tensions.
He emphasized that cultivating robust partnerships based on sustainable development and collective prosperity will play a pivotal role in advancing the mutual interests of nations and benefiting their citizens.
Read more: Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince to lead UAE delegation at 17th BRICS Summit on July 6-7
UAE’s commitment to global stability
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast belief that constructive dialogue and economic integration serve as essential pillars for attaining global stability. He also highlighted the UAE’s support for the expansion of BRICS to boost strategic cooperation among countries, regional blocs, and international organizations.
The summit featured a high-level dialogue session attended by BRICS leaders and heads of delegations, where they deliberated on major economic and development issues of mutual interest. The discussions encompassed strengthening cooperation among Global South nations, reforming global governance systems, promoting the use of local currencies in trade exchanges, accelerating the transition to a green economy, developing climate finance mechanisms, and advocating for responsible governance of artificial intelligence technologies.
The dialogue session further highlighted the importance of enhancing partnerships in food security, health, and technology, reaffirming BRICS countries’ commitment to inclusive and sustainable development to meet the aspirations of people across the globe.
The UAE is participating in the summit for the second time as a member of BRICS, which was established in 2009 to promote political and economic cooperation among emerging economies.
Strengthening BRICS relations
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of Foreign Trade, has participated in the BRICS Business Forum held alongside the 17th BRICS Summit.
During the Forum, Al Zeyoudi emphasized the UAE’s robust relationships with BRICS nations and the community’s pivotal role in fostering innovation, accelerating trade, and creating opportunities for cross-border investment. He also advocated for closer collaboration in essential sectors such as logistics, agriculture, renewable energy, technology, and healthcare.
The BRICS Business Forum convened leaders and business representatives from the community’s ten member nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, and the UAE—to share perspectives on how their public and private sectors can cooperate to navigate the current economic and geopolitical landscape.
The UAE’s involvement underscores its belief in constructive collaboration and its dedication to pursuing mutually beneficial global partnerships. The Forum culminated in the endorsement of several initiatives aimed at deepening economic cooperation, along with new private sector partnerships designed to enhance trade and investment flows.
Al Zeyoudi remarked that the Forum offered a vital opportunity to engage with a collective of like-minded nations undergoing significant economic transformations: “The BRICS community provides a compelling model for growth in the current economic climate. Each of us is seeking economic growth based on investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and trade relationships free from barriers and bureaucracy. This is how the UAE is building our next chapter of economic development, from attracting FDI and fostering new, technology-driven industries to securing free-trade agreements with like-minded nations such as BRICS members India, Indonesia, and Russia.
We are eager to maximize this relationship to the fullest extent and build upon these strong foundations in vital economic sectors, including energy, logistics, technology, healthcare, and food security.”
Record trade figures
Al Zeyoudi was in Brazil accompanied by Saleh Ahmad Salem Alzaraim Al Suwaidi, the UAE’s ambassador to Brazil.
The UAE and BRICS nations have been witnessing substantial trade growth. In 2024, they engaged in non-oil trade worth $243 billion, representing a 10.5 percent increase compared to 2023. The momentum continued into 2025, with non-oil trade reaching $68.3 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth rate of 18.2 percent, and 2.4 percent more than Q4 of 2024.
The UAE’s total non-oil exports to BRICS countries surged to $39.4 billion in 2024, nearly double the level recorded in 2019, while re-exports hit $50.5 billion. The UAE ranks 14th globally among BRICS trading partners and 5th in terms of internal trade among BRICS nations, following China, Russia, India, and Brazil.
The BRICS community, which initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa before expanding to ten nations this year, constitutes a significant portion of the global economy. It accounts for approximately 40 percent of the world’s population and around 25 percent of global GDP. The UAE became a member of BRICS in 2024, reflecting its strategic focus on enhancing diplomatic and economic ties with markets worldwide to further bolster its role in driving global economic growth and prosperity.
