BRICS countries- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa agreed for co-investment of resources for supporting multilateral R&D Projects in mutually agreed areas. The Indian delegation led by the Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, signed a joint Declaration called Moscow Declaration to this effect, at the 3rd Meeting of BRICS Ministers for Science, Technology and Innovation held at Moscow on 28 October, 2015.
This Declaration reflects BRICS partnership in addressing common global and regional socio-economic challenges, utilizing such drivers as science, technology and innovation (STI).
BRICS STI Minister agreed on the collaboration for:
(i) cooperation within large research infrastructures, including mega-science projects; coordination of the existing large-scale national programme of the BRICS countries;
(ii) development and implementation of a BRICS Framework Programme for funding multilateral joint research projects, technology commercialization and innovation;
(iii) 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 endoresed India’s proposal to host the BRICS Young Scientist Forum Secretariat in India with the Indian Department of Science and Technology as coordinating point.
