Russia's BRICS summit: Gulf states seek influence as Iran, UAE debut as members
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince will not be in attendance but has sent his foreign minister. Expansion of the group and adoption of a new currency are on the three-day agenda.
DUBAI/NEW YORK — Gulf nations will look to negotiate a larger role for themselves in the upcoming BRICS meeting in Russia, which is the first to take place after the United Arab Emirates and Iran joined the ranks of the group.
The two countries are among six new states including Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia that joined the group in January. Saudi Arabia, which was also invited to join, has adopted a wait and watch approach to joining the emerging nations' bloc, which has gained popularity among several countries in the Global South.
This year's meeting takes place Oct. 22-24 in Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, in Russia. The meeting, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, will see the attendance of several world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Gulf participation
