President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday held high-level talks with a number of world leaders at the Brics Summit in Russia, including his first meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The UAE leader also took part in discussions in Kazan with Chinese President Xi Jinping; Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt; Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, and Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
Talks centred on efforts to advance international co-operation across economy, trade and development. The leaders emphasised the importance of fostering partnerships to drive progress and prosperity.
Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed had set out the UAE's plans to use its membership of the expanded bloc to drive development. This is the first meeting the UAE has attended, after joining the organisation at the start of the year.
“I was pleased to participate in the Brics summit today in Kazan, Russia. The UAE supports multilateral co-operation that fosters peace and development while strengthening collective action to address global challenges,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media.
“Through its membership in Brics, the UAE works resolutely with member states to achieve a more stable and prosperous future for all.”
The 16th Brics summit is taking place until October 24. The event, with the theme Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security, brings together the leaders and government of several Brics nations, alongside representatives of invited states, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the UAE's participation reflected the country's aim to work with all nations to enhance stability and drive growth on a global scale.
"Our focus is on promoting inclusive and sustainable development, in line with the global community’s shared goals," he said. "In an increasingly interconnected world, partnerships across regions that harness the dynamism and potential, of emerging economies, play a crucial role in advancing the common good.”
Brics is an intergovernmental group of emerging economies comprising Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Russia on Sunday for an official visit which included high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin, on Monday, hailed the strong relations between Russia and the UAE during talks with Sheikh Mohamed, thanking him for the role the country has played in mediating prisoner of war exchanges with Ukraine.
Sheikh Mohamed said Russia's co-operation was a key factor in ensuring it was a success and reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to carrying out such “humanitarian endeavours”.
“The Emirates is always ready to make any additional efforts for this cause, as well as any effort to help with the settling crises in a way that can benefit all parties and support peace in the world,” Sheikh Mohamed said during talks held at the Kremlin as part of a reception to mark his visit to Russia.
Sheikh Mohamed thanked Russia for its presidency of Brics and “reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to building effective partnerships”, state news agency Wam reported on Monday.
The leaders also reviewed the situation in the Middle East, with Sheikh Mohamed emphasising the urgent need to prevent further escalation of regional conflict and reiterating the call for “just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution”.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Putin also attended the opening of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Education Centre at Primakov School in Moscow, as the two countries enhance co-operation in the field of education.
The two leaders toured the centre, meeting pupils and staff. A presentation on the centre’s curriculum focused on the Arabic language, as well as history, culture, arts, and science and technology.
