The Emirates News Agency reported on October 25 2026 that Saqr Ghobash Speaker of the Federal National Council will lead the UAE delegation to the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum hosted by the Indian Parliament in New Delhi. Ghobash is scheduled to deliver a speech in the opening session focused on resilience and the critical role of parliaments in bolstering institutions for a better future. The participation aligns with the UAE’s growing role in the expanded BRICS grouping which it joined as a full member in 2024 and reflects ongoing efforts to enhance legislative coordination on global issues.
The forum will convene under the theme Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development with speakers and delegation heads from BRICS member and partner countries in attendance. Four main sessions will address resilience innovation in artificial intelligence and digital technologies cooperation toward more representative global governance and sustainability for inclusive national futures. A dedicated meeting of chairpersons from international affairs committees will also take place to discuss parliamentary diplomacy capacity building and the sharing of best practices.
Indian parliamentary sources indicated that 13 countries will participate including six BRICS members Russia Brazil China Egypt the UAE and Iran along with seven partner nations Belarus Cuba Thailand Vietnam Kazakhstan Uganda and Uzbekistan.[[1]](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/irans-ghalibaf-to-miss-brics-parl-meet-in-delhi/) Russia is dispatching the largest group with 10 members led by State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin while four delegations overall will be headed by parliamentary speakers. The sources noted that deliberations are likely to touch on worldwide conflicts and pressures facing democracies from public movements.
Previous BRICS Parliamentary Forum gatherings have yielded joint statements on subjects such as counter-terrorism and reforms to international institutions with the 2025 meeting in Brazil resulting in India assuming the chairmanship for this edition. The current focus on human-centered approaches to technology and sustainable development builds directly on those outcomes. UAE engagement in these sessions continues a pattern of active involvement in multilateral parliamentary dialogue.
Ghobash’s address is expected to emphasize legislative measures that foster institutional adaptability and long-term sustainability in line with the forum’s priorities. The Federal National Council has pursued similar bilateral and multilateral exchanges in recent months including discussions on legislative cooperation with counterparts from Guyana and Azerbaijan. These efforts facilitate the exchange of expertise and help harmonize positions ahead of major international gatherings.
India is hosting the event at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to engage visiting delegations on topics including institutional resilience and global governance reform. The gathering occurs as BRICS broadens its influence across multiple continents incorporating new members to address economic and developmental challenges collectively. Delegations will also explore ways to leverage parliamentary tools for advancing digital transformation and sustainable growth across participating nations.
