The United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the 2026 BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting held in Jaipur, India. Under India’s chairmanship, the meeting addressed the preservation of the multilateral trading system, inclusive trade, the empowerment of SMEs, digital transformation, and the reshaping of global value chains.

UAE Emphasizes Multilateral Trade

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi was accompanied by Abdulla Al Nuaimi, the UAE Ambassador to India. Al Zeyoudi held bilateral meetings with senior officials from India, China, Egypt, Indonesia, South Africa, and Russia. The discussions focused on increasing trade and investment, cooperation in priority sectors, and strengthening private sector participation.

Al Zeyoudi stated that cooperation among emerging economies has become increasingly important at a time of rising uncertainty in global trade. Noting that the UAE supports an open and predictable trading environment, the Minister said they are committed to turning the engagements in Jaipur into tangible outcomes for businesses and communities. No agreement was reached on a joint declaration at the end of the meeting. (BRICS)

Trade with BRICS Countries Exceeds $312 Billion

Non-oil foreign trade between the UAE and the group’s member countries increased by 28.5 percent year-on-year in 2025, rising from $243 billion to more than $312 billion. The members accounted for approximately 31 percent of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade, while representing 34 percent of the country’s imports, 23 percent of its non-oil exports, and 28 percent of its re-exports. (BRICS)

Digital Trade and Logistics with India on the Agenda

During the meeting between Al Zeyoudi and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, the progress of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in May 2022, was reviewed. The parties discussed new opportunities for cooperation in trade in services, digital trade, logistics, and food security. Non-oil trade between India and the UAE increased by 17.3 percent in 2025, reaching $76.2 billion. (BRICS)

UAE’s CEPA Target Is $1.1 Trillion

Under the UAE’s CEPA program, 38 agreements have been concluded with economies across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas since September 2021, of which 18 have entered into force. The program aims to increase the country’s non-oil foreign trade to $1.1 trillion by 2031. The group today consists of 10 countries and represents approximately 40 percent of the world’s population and around 25 percent of global GDP.

At the meeting, the UAE also expressed its concerns over Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, calling for the protection of freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and for the unconditional reopening of the strait.