The accession of new members will allow BRICS to push the West to accept changes in international relations, an expert from UAE has been quoted as stating. That’s valid in particular for cross-border trade and de-dollarization, said Mohamed El Yattioui, professor at the American University in the Emirates.

BRICS Bloc to Benefit From Inducting New Members Like UAE and Saudi Arabia, Academic Says

“The role of BRICS has been increasing during the last years and in the last decade,” Mohamed Badine El Yattioui, doctor of political science and assistant professor of international affairs and strategy in the College of Security and Global Studies at the American University in UAE, told Russia’s Tass news agency.

The academic emphasized that “for the United Arab Emirates, it’s important to become part of the BRICS group,” which currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. He believes that the expansion will allow the bloc to put pressure on the West to recognize changes in the system of international relations.

The admission of the UAE and other candidates will help BRICS to “push the Western countries towards accepting some modifications of the new world order, especially those regarding international trade, international political economy in general, currency and leaving the dollar,” El Yattioui elaborated.

The professor highlighted that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have strong economies and high gross domestic product (GDP) and are offering BRICS many opportunities, especially regarding energy. “It is in the interest of BRICS to have them inside the group,” he remarked.

Enlargement was one of the topics discussed by the foreign ministers of BRICS member states in Cape Town, South Africa, in June. The meeting was also attended by diplomats from 12 other nations that have expressed intentions to join the group of the largest developing economies.

This year’s BRICS summit is scheduled to take place on Aug. 22–24 in Johannesburg. The hosting country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, recently unveiled that the organization’s leaders will talk about its expansion. A total of 23 nations have so far submitted formal applications for membership, she said.

Earlier in August, the Press Secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, admitted that “certain nuances exist” among the five current BRICS members regarding the bloc’s expansion and these will be discussed at the summit. He was referring to a report by Bloomberg, according to which China’s push for a rapid enlargement is facing opposition from India and Brazil.

Do you think BRICS leaders will support the accession of new members at their upcoming meeting in Johannesburg? Share your expectations in the comments section below.