BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa signed Moscow Declaration for partnership in addressing common regional and global socio-economic challenges by utilising science, technology and innovation (STI).
It was signed at the third meeting of the BRICS Ministers for Science, Technology and Innovation held in Moscow, Russia.
Indian delegation to this meeting was led by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.
BRICS STI Minister agreed on the collaboration for:
(1) cooperation within large research infrastructures, including mega-science projects; coordination of the existing large-scale national programme of the BRICS countries;
(2) development and implementation of a BRICS Framework Programme for funding multilateral joint research projects, technology commercialization and innovation;
(3) establishment of BRICS Research and Innovation Networking Platform.
Points to Note
- BRICS STI Ministers also endorsed a BRICS Action Plan 2015-18 on BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation cooperation.
- The 3rd BRICS S&T Ministers Meeting endorsed India’s proposal to host the BRICS Young Scientist Forum Secretariat in India with the Indian Department of Science and Technology as coordinating point.