India will host the 8th BRICS Summit, in Goa on 15-16 October 2016
during its Chairmanship of BRICS, which it assumed on 15 February 2016.
As the precursor the same, the 4th BRICS Science, Technology and
Innovation Ministerial Meeting was convened on 8 October, 2016 at Jaipur
to further strengthen the collaboration amongst the BRICS countries in
the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The meeting was
chaired by the Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences,
Dr. Harsh Vardhan. The Vice Minister for Science, Technology and
Innovation of Brazil, Mr. Álvaro Toubes Prata; Deputy Minister of
Federation of Russia, Mr. Alexey Lopatia; Vice Minister of S&T of
Peoples Republic of China, H.E.Mr. Jiang Hua; Minister of Science and
Technology of South Africa H.E. Madam Naledi Pandor led their respective
country delegations.
While
welcoming the BRICS country Ministerial delegates, Dr Harshvardhan
elucidated; “During our Chairmanship we are adopting a five-pronged
approach, viz. Institution Building, Implementation, Integration,
Innovation and Continuity. Our emphasis is on institution building,
implementation of previous commitments, tapping synergies of the
existing BRICS cooperation mechanisms, exploring some new areas of
cooperation and maintaining continuity in the existing areas.”
In
alignment with the theme of India’s Chairmanship - Building, Responsive
Inclusive and Collective Solutions, the Jaipur Declaration was
unanimously adopted by all the BRICS countries. The member countries
resolved to intensify, diversify and institutionalize STI cooperation
through the BRICS research & innovation initiative.
During
India’s Chairmanship, significant progress have been achieved in joint
knowledge creation in the areas of Photonics; Material Science &
Nanotechnology; Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences; Energy;
Geospatial Technology; Astronomy; Prevention & Mitigation of Natural
Disaster, Water and Solid State Lighting.
In fulfillment of
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s special attention on engagement
of youth, who comprises 65% of workforce of BRICS countries together,
India hosted the 1st BRICS Young Scientists Conclave at Bengaluru and
Hampi last week. More than 40 young scientists from BRICS countries
participated in the event and discussed some exciting ideas in the field
of affordable healthcare, energy solutions and computational
intelligence. In order to stimulate and encourage young minds, BRICS
Innovative Idea Prize for Young Scientists has been instituted.
In order to harness the innovativeness of the youth, India’s proposal to
establish a BRICS Science and Technology driven Entrepreneurship and
Innovation Partnership Programme was agreed by all the member countries.