India announces unanimous adoption of ‘Chennai Declaration’ at BRICS meet
New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday announced the unanimous adoption of the ‘Chennai Declaration’, reaffirming BRICS commitment to build an effective, resilient and future-ready framework in science, technology and innovation.
The ‘Chennai Consensus’, adopted under India’s BRICS Chairship, places a people-centred and humanity-first approach at the heart of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) cooperation, with emphasis on sustainable development, resilient and high-quality growth, social inclusiveness and the use of innovation and technology to improve the welfare and quality of life of people across BRICS nations.
Delivering his remarks at the closing session of the 14th BRICS Science Ministerial Meet chaired by India, the minister said the deliberations had reaffirmed the central role of STI in building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.
He said the breadth of discussions, from artificial intelligence and high-performance computing to quantum technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, health, climate and sustainability, reflects the shared opportunities and challenges that BRICS countries can address through collective action.
The ‘Chennai Consensus’ records the growing maturity and depth of BRICS STI cooperation, with sustained collaborative activity across 14 thematic Working Groups, 11 editions of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum, nine editions of the Young Innovators Prize and nine BRICS STI Framework Programme calls, including research, innovation and flagship project calls.
It describes this trajectory as reflecting growing strength, investment,and continued engagement in the BRICS STI partnership.
The ‘Chennai Consensus’ also welcomes India’s efforts to review and streamline BRICS STI priorities and records the consultative work towards a more future-ready STI cooperation framework.
The Declaration further welcomes the BRICS Youth Startup Platform, while recognising the need to catalyse financing for early and growth-stage startups and recording the consideration of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund in the BRICS Industry Ministers’ Declaration, in coordination where appropriate with the STI track.
Dr Singh said the BRICS STI partnership must move beyond sustained dialogue towards demonstrable outcomes, with stronger mechanisms for joint projects, shared platforms, coordinated calls and open research infrastructure.
–IANS
na/