Chennai: BRICS countries have unanimously adopted the Chennai Declaration, setting out a framework to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation, with greater emphasis on joint research, shared scientific infrastructure, young researchers and the priorities of the Global South.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh announced the adoption at the closing session of the 14th BRICS Science Ministerial Meeting, chaired by India.
The Chennai Consensus, adopted during India’s BRICS Chairship, places a people-centred and “humanity-first” approach at the centre of science, technology and innovation cooperation. It focuses on sustainable development, resilient and high-quality growth, social inclusion and the use of technology to improve people’s quality of life across BRICS countries.
Singh said discussions at the meeting covered areas ranging from artificial intelligence and high-performance computing to quantum technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, health, climate and sustainability. He said these fields presented both shared opportunities and challenges that BRICS countries could address through collective action.
BRICS expands joint science and research programmes
The declaration records ongoing cooperation through 14 thematic Working Groups, 11 editions of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum, nine editions of the Young Innovators Prize and nine BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Framework Programme calls.
These include calls for research, innovation and flagship projects.
Singh said India’s BRICS Chairship theme — “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” — should lead to stronger research networks, greater mobility of scientific talent, shared research facilities and more opportunities for young scientists and innovators.
The declaration also welcomes India’s efforts to review and streamline BRICS science, technology and innovation priorities and develop a more future-ready framework for cooperation.
Shared research infrastructure and BRICS GRAIN
Shared research facilities and mega-science projects emerged as a major area of cooperation at the ministerial meeting.
The Chennai Consensus welcomes the outcomes of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructures and Mega-science Projects, including an Action Plan and Terms of Reference for a Task Force.
It also records progress towards operationalising the BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network, or BRICS GRAIN.
The framework is intended to improve access to research facilities, support joint research and advanced technology development, encourage researcher mobility and strengthen capacity building across member countries.
BRICS countries also welcomed the proposed Science and Research Repository as a structured platform for storing and sharing scientific knowledge.
Its draft framework envisages a digital public good capable of mapping scientific institutions, researchers, research outputs, datasets, infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration. The repository is also expected to promote knowledge exchange, open science and the visibility of BRICS research capabilities, subject to national regulations and data-governance requirements.
Young scientists, startups and innovators get greater focus
The Chennai Consensus calls for more exchanges among young scientists and continued work through the BRICS Young Scientist Forum and Young Innovator Prize.
It also recognises progress under the BRICS STI Entrepreneurship Partnership, which seeks stronger links among incubators, accelerators and early-stage investors, along with greater mobility for young innovators and researchers and improved access to relevant markets.
The declaration welcomes the BRICS Youth Startup Platform and recognises the need to improve financing for early- and growth-stage startups.
It also notes consideration of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund in the BRICS Industry Ministers’ Declaration, with coordination with the science, technology and innovation track where appropriate.
Singh said BRICS science cooperation should move beyond continuing dialogue towards measurable outcomes through joint projects, shared platforms, coordinated research calls and open research infrastructure.
He said cooperation should remain inclusive as BRICS expands and should respond to the priorities of the Global South, while ensuring frontier technologies are accessible, affordable, responsible and directed towards improving people’s lives.
Cooperation to cover AI, quantum, health and climate
The Chennai Consensus covers a wide range of emerging and strategic fields, including high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, biotechnology and human health, materials science and nanotechnology, photonics, astronomy, geospatial technologies, renewable energy, ocean and polar science, natural-disaster management and social sciences and humanities.
It also welcomes continued cooperation in quantum technologies and encourages practical engagement and joint research involving scientists, universities and innovation communities.
The ministerial meeting endorsed the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Calendar of Activities for 2026–27, covering Working Groups, the Steering Committee, the Senior Officials’ process, the Young Scientist Forum, Young Innovator Prize and other thematic activities.
The Chennai Consensus also records the transition of the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial process to the next Chairship. China is scheduled to chair the next ministerial meeting in 2027.
Singh thanked BRICS ministers, delegations, experts, the Department of Science and Technology and partner institutions for their contributions during India’s Chairship.