Dr Jitendra Singh Announces Unanimous Adoption Of 'Chennai Declaration', Reaffirming BRICS Commitment To Build Effective, Resilient And Future-Ready Framework In Science, Technology And Innovation

Key Highlights:

• The Chennai Declaration was unanimously adopted at the 14th BRICS Science Ministerial Meet, chaired by India.
• It reaffirms BRICS commitment to building an effective, resilient, and future-ready framework in science, technology, and innovation (STI).
• The declaration places a people-centred and humanity-first approach at the heart of STI cooperation.
• India's Chairship theme was "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

Detailed Insights:

• The Chennai Consensus emphasizes sustainable development, resilient growth, social inclusiveness, and using innovation to improve welfare across BRICS nations.
• It reflects the growing maturity of BRICS STI cooperation, with sustained activities across 14 thematic Working Groups and various forums.
• The outcomes of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructures and Mega-science Projects, including an Action Plan, were welcomed.
• Progress is being made towards operationalizing the BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network (BRICS GRAIN) for shared access to research facilities.
• The BRICS Science and Research Repository is envisioned as a digital public good for knowledge storage, mapping institutions, and promoting open science.
• Strong emphasis was placed on exchanges among young scientists through the BRICS Young Scientist Forum and BRICS Young Innovator Prize.
• Progress under the BRICS STI Entrepreneurship Partnership and the new BRICS Youth Startup Platform were also welcomed.
• Consideration for a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund was noted in the BRICS Industry Ministers’ Declaration.
• Cooperation spans diverse areas including Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, renewable energy, and disaster management.
• The BRICS STI Calendar of Activities for 2026–2027 was endorsed, with the next Ministerial Meeting scheduled under China's Chairship in 2027.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Science, Technology and Innovation (STI): The interconnected fields of scientific research, technological development, and the application of new ideas.
• Chennai Declaration/Consensus: The outcome document of the 14th BRICS Science Ministerial Meet, outlining future STI cooperation.