BRICS Science & Technology Ministers Meeting

On 26th November, 2021, the 9th BRICS Science & Technology Ministers meeting was held. In the meeting, Science Ministers from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) discussed various aspects of cooperation in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

Key Highlights

• Global Innovation Index: The member countries called for working towards a rightful place for BRICS in the Global Innovation Index (GII) by strengthening cooperation in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation.
• BRICS Innovation Cooperation Action Plan (2021-24): Member countries have agreed to a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)-led BRICS Innovation Cooperation Action Plan (2021-24).
• Thematic Areas: It includes Transient Astronomical Events and Deep Survey Science, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Big Data Analytics, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on Photonic, Nanophotonics, and Metamaterials for Addressing Biomedicine, Agriculture, Food Industry, Energy Harvesting Issues etc.
• Relevance: It will pave the way for cooperation among different actors of the innovation ecosystem, facilitating sharing of experiences of each other’s innovation ecosystem and networking among innovators and entrepreneurs.
• All the member states have adopted the BRICS innovation Action Plan 2021-24 and BRICS STI Declaration 2021.