BRICS holds historic potential to rebalance the world, says FNC Speaker
Saqr Ghobash addresses the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, arguing that the bloc's true significance lies not in creating a new global power centre, but in fostering greater equilibrium and responsibility among nations.
In New Delhi, Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, has articulated a vision of BRICS that transcends the conventional logic of geopolitical competition. Speaking at the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26th October, he suggested that the bloc’s historic opportunity lies in moving beyond the simple expansion of international cooperation toward deepening its practical impact and channelling its influence to benefit communities far beyond its own member states.
The forum, held under the theme “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development”, brought together parliamentary speakers and heads of delegations from BRICS member and partner countries. Ghobash’s intervention reframed the significance of BRICS in terms that deserve careful consideration: the group’s true strategic value, he argued, resides not in adding another pole to an already fragmented international system, but rather in strengthening balance within it and nurturing greater responsibility in relations among nations.
Central to his remarks was an observation about human progress across centuries. Throughout history, Ghobash noted, humanity has surmounted constraints imposed by geography, unequal distribution of resources and disparities in knowledge between regions. This accumulated progress has created a world possessed of extraordinary capacities for production, connectivity and the exchange of mutual benefit, underpinned by intricate networks of shared interest that traverse borders and continents.
He drew particular attention to the four concepts selected by India’s BRICS presidency: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. These, he suggested, converge around a comprehensive strategic vision that reflects the world’s capacity to navigate the transformations it generates and to protect the gains it achieves. As we reported in Saqr Ghobash’s earlier address on BRICS’ role in strengthening balance within the international order, this theme of equilibrium rather than dominance represents a consistent thread in the FNC Speaker’s diplomatic engagement.
Reflecting on the UAE’s own position within this framework, Ghobash underscored that the nation, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has made openness, economic diversification, partnership-building and investment in the future enduring pillars of its national development. The UAE’s participation in BRICS, he explained, flows from a conviction that international partnerships pursued in parallel are not mutually exclusive; rather, they complement one another when rooted in mutual interests and equal respect.
He emphasised, moreover, that safeguarding national sovereignty, preserving regional stability and protecting international interests represent interconnected responsibilities that cannot be addressed in isolation from one another. This holistic understanding of statecraft reflects broader UAE engagement across multiple diplomatic forums, including participation in the second GCC-European parliamentary conference in Brussels, where similar themes of cooperation and mutual understanding have been advanced.
What unites BRICS member states, Ghobash suggested, extends beyond economic metrics or resource endowments to encompass their rich civilisational, historical and developmental diversity. This heterogeneity, rather than representing an obstacle, offers the bloc a historic opportunity to deepen its impact and harness its collective strength to deliver public benefits that extend far beyond its membership. The group’s true historic significance, he concluded, lies in its capacity to foster greater balance within the international system and to promote heightened responsibility in relations among nations.
The FNC delegation participating in the forum included Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee, alongside FNC members and Abdulla Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of India.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s prominent voice at this important parliamentary gathering underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to shaping global discourse around cooperation and stability. Through Saqr Ghobash’s articulate advocacy for balance rather than rivalry, the Emirates reinforces its positioning as a trusted broker in international affairs, one that sees diplomatic engagement not as zero-sum competition but as an opportunity to strengthen the entire international system from which all nations benefit.
For Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, this engagement signals the nation’s confidence in its role as a bridge-builder between different regions and ideologies. By emphasising shared interests in resilience, innovation and sustainability rather than highlighting differences, the FNC Speaker exemplifies the diplomatic approach that has enabled the Emirates to maintain productive relationships across the global spectrum while advancing its own strategic interests and values.
Source: WAM