India chaired the meeting of BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (BRICS MENA) in Delhi on 23 to 24 April 2026. The bloc agreed to meet again under China’s chairship in 2027.
Members at the BRICS MENA meeting exchanged views on the recent conflict in the Middle East. The discussions also covered the Palestine issue and the Gaza situation, including the provision of humanitarian aid.
The discussion also emphasised the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.
Secretary (South) Dr. Neena Malhotra chaired the meeting of BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (BRICS MENA) on 23-24 April 2026 in New Delhi.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 24, 2026
The participants had constructive exchange of views on the current regional… pic.twitter.com/4VElO9ID4J
Key Takeaways from the BRICS-MENA Meeting (April 2026)
(i) The Palestine issue and the Gaza situation, including the provision of humanitarian aid, the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.
(ii) Welcoming the ceasefire in Lebanon and the unacceptability of attacks on UNIFIL.
(iii) Post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation in Syria.
(iv) Political settlement in Yemen.
(v) Stability and development in Iraq.
(vi) Political process in Libya.
(vii) Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
In this article, we will learn which Middle East countries are a part of the BRICS.
Which Middle East countries are part of the BRICS?
As of 2024–2025, the Middle Eastern countries that are full members of BRICS include Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Egypt.
Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were invited at the August 2023 summit to join the BRICS bloc as full members, effective January 1, 2024. However, while Argentina was among the six countries invited, it formally declined to join, per reports in late 2023.
Therefore, as of now, the BRICS is currently composed of eleven countries: its five original members – Brasil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa, -, and six new members admitted in 2024-25 - Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
What is BRICS?
BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation that came into existence at the first meeting of the BRIC Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in 2006.
The inaugural BRIC Summit was held on 16 June 2009, in Yekaterinburg, Russia, with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and China. With South Africa joining the bloc in 2011, BRIC was formally expanded into BRICS.
The BRICS is a group formed by eleven countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
- Original Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS).
- 2024 Expansion: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined on 1 January 2024.
- 2025 Expansion: Indonesia joined in January 2025, bringing the total to 11.
The concept of BRICS was coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001 to describe fast-growing economies. BRICS full form stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Also read: Who were the founding members of SAARC?
