Saudi Arabia Considers Declining BRICS Membership?

• Saudi Arabia's Potential BRICS Alliance Membership: An In-Depth Analysis
• An Unconfirmed BRICS Invitation
• Timelines and Decision-Making
• Statements from Saudi Arabia's Economic Minister
• Why the Delay?

Saudi Arabia's Potential BRICS Alliance Membership: An In-Depth Analysis

Recent conjecture has been swirling around Saudi Arabia's potential addition to the BRICS alliance. Despite anticipations of Saudi Arabia's membership beginning January 1, 2024, the final decision is yet to be made.

An Unconfirmed BRICS Invitation

As reported by Reuters, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has yet to officially accept the invitation to join BRICS. This uncertainty springs from the Kingdom's ongoing evaluation of the potential benefits of joining the alliance. Further complexities arise from the fact that Saudi Arabia has not yet signed the BRICS agreement.

Timelines and Decision-Making

Sources close to the matter have clarified that January 1, 2024, is not a fixed deadline for the decision to be made. The timeline is, in fact, more flexible, providing invited countries with ample time for a thorough deliberation process over the prospect of joining BRICS. As such, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is continuing to assess its options.

Statements from Saudi Arabia's Economic Minister

Saudi Arabia's economy minister, Faisal Alibrahim, has corroborated these reports by confirming that the Kingdom has not yet joined BRICS. As per Alibrahim, the Kingdom is currently undergoing an internal multi-step process, with a decision expected in due course.

Why the Delay?

The delays in Saudi Arabia's decision-making process can be attributed to several factors. One of these is the rising tensions between the US, China, and Russia, which pose potential diplomatic challenges for the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia's hesitation is also fueled by its plans to open the country to tourists, akin to the United Arab Emirates.

A potential misstep in its diplomatic strategy at this juncture could prove costly for Saudi Arabia, particularly as they're aiming to partially liberalize the country. Therefore, the Kingdom is carefully weighing its options before deciding on its potential BRICS membership.

Edited by Jonathan Stoker