BRICS 8th Ocean And Polar Science And Technology Working Group Meeting

Key Highlights:

• The 8th BRICS Working Group meeting on Ocean and Polar Science and Technology (OPST) was held in Goa, India.
• The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) from August 12-14, 2026.
• It brought together representatives from Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Deliberations focused on scientific cooperation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative research in ocean and polar regions.
• Key agreements included initiatives for coastal resilience, joint polar ocean biodiversity studies, and setting milestones for International Polar Year – 5.

Detailed Insights:

• The meeting provided a platform for discussing challenges in coastal zones, particularly the protection of coastal cities.
• It aimed to strengthen the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) through collaborative contributions for robust ocean information services.
• Discussions also covered joint polar research, inclusive participation in Antarctic Expeditions, and enhanced capacity building for young researchers.
• India, during its BRICS Presidency, will coordinate the finalization of the working group's roadmap and its short-term action plan.
• The outcomes are expected to strengthen BRICS cooperation through joint research initiatives, exchange programs, and shared research infrastructure.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR): An autonomous institution under MoES, responsible for India's polar and ocean research activities.
• Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS): A permanent global system for observations, modeling, and analysis of ocean variables to support operational ocean services.
• International Polar Year (IPY): A large scientific program focused on the Arctic and Antarctic regions, conducted periodically by international collaboration.