As the global landscape fragments, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are turning to BRICS as a strategic avenue to bolster economic ties and diversify alliances beyond Western-centric models. Originally formed in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China (with South Africa joining in 2010), BRICS is a coalition of emerging economies that seek alternatives to traditional Western-dominated institutions like the IMF and World Bank. In an increasingly multipolar world, BRICS offers countries an opportunity for greater influence and independence in shaping global financial and diplomatic frameworks.
Saudi Arabia, as a Middle Eastern economic leader, views BRICS as a valuable partner for advancing its Vision 2030 goals of reducing reliance on Western economies. Recent engagements, such as attending the BRICS summit in Kazan, underscore Riyadh’s commitment to these ambitions. This alignment allows Saudi Arabia to build trade, energy, and technology connections within a cooperative network, fostering relationships with influential BRICS members like China and India. For Saudi Arabia, deeper engagement in BRICS reflects a strategic shift toward economic resilience amid shifting global power dynamics. Saudi Arabia has not officially joined the bloc, but participates in its activities as an invited nation.
Similarly, Turkey has expressed strong interest in joining BRICS, seeing it as a platform to enhance regional influence and expand trade partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. Turkey’s interest is also pragmatic; by aligning with BRICS, Turkey can tap into new sources of energy and economic cooperation. In doing so, Ankara can strengthen its economic resilience and assert a more independent role within a multipolar framework that promotes diversified collaboration, especially in energy security.
For both Saudi Arabia and Turkey, BRICS represents an opportunity to establish more balanced, equitable global partnerships. This shift also reflects their desire to shape a more inclusive world order, one that emphasizes shared growth and regional cooperation among emerging economies. As the BRICS coalition seeks to expand, adding members like Saudi Arabia and potentially Turkey would strengthen its influence as an alternative economic bloc that could challenge traditional power structures and help address pressing issues, including energy security and economic stability.
