Chennai Consensus: BRICS Ministers adopt Joint Declaration on Science, Technology and Innovation

Chennai Consensus

Joint Declaration of the Fourteenth BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting

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1. Within the framework of BRICS cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), we, the BRICS Ministers responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation and designated representatives, convened in Chennai, India, on 21st August 2026 for the 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting. Under India's Chairship of BRICS, we engaged in productive dialogue concerning our key national science and technology policies and priorities, advanced the shared priorities of BRICS STI cooperation, reaffirming our collective commitment to strengthening an effective, resilient, and future-ready framework for science, technology and innovation collaboration.
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2. The theme for India's Chairship \"Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability\" underscores a people-centred and humanity-first approach. Our deliberations highlighted the importance of evaluating the achievements and contributions of BRICS in addressing global priorities while contributing to our respective national growth and development. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to sustainable development, developing new quality productive forces, fostering more resilient and high-quality growth, social inclusiveness and promoting innovation and technology as catalysts for improving the welfare and quality of life of the people across BRICS nations.
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3. We note the progress made in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation. In this regard, we welcome the sustained upward trajectory of collaborative activities across all 14 thematic working groups, eleven editions of the Young Scientist Forum, nine editions of the Young Innovators Prize, as well as nine Framework Programme calls (seven calls on research, first innovation call and pilot call on flagship projects) that reflects the growing strength, maturity, investment and continued engagement in the BRICS STI partnership.
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4. We acknowledge the progress of the signing of the Accession Protocol to the MoU on BRICS STI Cooperation thus far, proposed in Moscow in 2024 during the 12th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting. Since the 13th STI Ministerial meeting in Brasilia in 2025, most countries have signed the protocol and are to be followed by Egypt. This process reflects the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus, respecting each country's national priorities and policies.
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5. We appreciate the priorities proposed by India for its 2026 Chairship, which seek to strengthen the STI ecosystem in BRICS, on the foundations of mutual benefit and cooperation to enhance the partnership for youth to lead the startup and innovation ecosystem, and to consolidate BRICS leadership in the emerging fields of STI through the thematic working groups and dialogues, while respecting national priorities.
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6. We welcome the convening of the BRICS Sub-Committee for Review of STI Priorities and hosting a series of its meetings to streamline the STI priorities based on thematic working groups and existing frameworks. We appreciate the work of the Sub-Committee, which met on 18th August 2026, and take note of the drafts on the proposed strategic architecture and operational guidelines, and welcome the proposed consultative way forward for further refinement and consideration. As we continue to advance BRICS STI cooperation, we consider this review to be one of the most critical exercises for re-orienting our cooperation framework and ensuring that it remains open to emerging STI priorities while respecting each country's national priorities and international commitments.
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7. We express appreciation to BRICS members that have hosted, in the second semester of 2025, annual meetings of BRICS STI working groups and activities on photonics, materials science and nanotechnology, astronomy, technological foresight, technology transfer, solid-state lighting, geography, research infrastructures, geospatial technologies, and social sciences and humanities.
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8. We appreciate the coordination of a dedicated Task Force that concluded the document \"BRICS Cable Requirements: directive brief\", following the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of 2025, which welcomed the discussion of undertaking a \"Technical and Economic Feasibility Study\" for establishing a high-speed communication network through submarine cables between the BRICS countries. We encourage that the BRICS STI Steering Committee continue this dialogue within the Task Force and propose the next steps for the feasibility study respecting national priorities and regulations.
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9. We welcome the high-level deliberations held under the BRICS STI Foresight agenda, including the online International Workshop on Technological Foresight and STI Policy convened on 29th–30th April 2026. In this regard, we welcome the focus on STI policy foresight and the preparation of a strategic set of recommendations to steer future BRICS cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
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10. We acknowledge the successful convening of the 5th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on New and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on 25th–26th May 2026. The Meeting facilitated constructive discussions on future technical and scientific cooperation aimed at addressing key challenges in the energy and renewable energy sectors through innovative solutions, and took note of the proposal for a framework on Clean Energy cooperation among BRICS nations. We take note of the \"BRICS Journal of Energy Systems\" launched in May 2025, and of opportunities for interested experts from BRICS countries to contribute to its editorial board as appropriate.
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11. We acknowledge the efforts of the 8th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructure and Mega Science Projects, held on 8th–9th July 2026 and welcome its outcomes as appropriate - i) Action Plan of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructures and Mega-science Projects and ii) Terms of Reference on Task Force. We welcome the progress towards the operationalisation of the BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network (BRICS GRAIN) and discussion on the proposal to create its Joint Coordination Committee and BRICS GRAIN Centres for cooperation in specific areas of science and technology. We invite member countries to complete the updating of national research infrastructure databases and the survey on translational access to research infrastructures in accordance with their respective national laws and policies.
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12. We acknowledge that the 5th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Geospatial Technologies and its Applications from 20th–22nd July 2026 explored collaborative geospatial solutions for exploring scope of future collaborations on BRICS geospatial technologies. The meeting acknowledged the proposed BRICS Geospatial Cooperation Roadmap (2027-30) to be further considered.
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13. We acknowledge the hosting of the BRICS Science Academies Forum Meeting 2026 with the focal theme \"Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation\" organized by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) on 22nd–24th July 2026 and welcome the progress and valuable exchange of ideas.
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14. We acknowledge the 8th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Ocean and Polar Science and Technology on 12th–14th August 2026 and welcome the initiatives agreed by the working group in building up resilience of coastal zones including coastal cities, enhanced contribution to Global Ocean Observation system, carrying out joint polar ocean biodiversity study, inclusive participation in the Antarctic expedition, identifying potential areas of cooperation and setting milestones for International Polar Year – 5 and promoting capacity building of young researchers. We encourage the review of the existing terms of reference (ToR) of the WG and finalisation of the ongoing work on the development of roadmap for the Working Group including the action plan for its short-term implementation.
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15. We look forward to the meetings of the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Working Groups to be convened under India's Chairship in 2026 subsequent to this Ministerial meeting, namely the 4th Meeting of the Working Group on Prevention and Monitoring of Natural Disasters; the 10th Meeting of the Working Group on High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI); the 7th Meeting of the Working Group on Biotechnology, Bio-Medicine, Human Health including Neuroscience; the 8th Meeting of the Working Group on Material Science and Nanotechnology; the 6th Meeting of the Working Group on Photonics; the 10th Meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group; and the 2nd Meeting of the Working Group on Social Sciences and Humanities Research.
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16. We welcome the BRICS Science and Research Repository envisaged as a structured platform for knowledge storage and sharing among BRICS countries and take note of its draft Framework Document.
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17. The young scientist initiatives continue to serve as highly effective platforms for fostering networks among young scientists and innovators through the exchange of experiences and best practices in supporting scientific research that can impactfully contribute to socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, and the quality of life within BRICS societies. In this regard, we encourage BRICS member countries to promote exchanges among BRICS young scientists, and we look forward to the 11th BRICS Young Scientist Forum and the 9th BRICS Young Innovator Prize from 2nd–6th November 2026.
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18. We recognise the progress achieved for the proposed BRICS Action Plan for Innovation 2025–2030 under the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Entrepreneurship Partnership (STIEP) Working Group. We welcome enhanced engagement among incubators, accelerators, and early-stage investors of BRICS countries, greater mobility of young innovators and researchers, and enhanced access to relevant markets. We encourage the interested BRICS countries to engage with the Steering Committees of the iBRICS Network and BRICS TechTransfer initiatives.
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19. Recognising the need to catalyse financing for early and growth-stage startups, we welcome the consideration of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund in the 10th BRICS Industry Ministers' Declaration 2026, in coordination, wherever appropriate, with the BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation Track. We look forward to the 8th Meeting of the BRICS STIEP Working Group in November 2026.
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20. We welcome the BRICS Youth Startup Platform (BYSP) which will facilitate dialogue with a broad view to support the Youth Startups in a virtual platform.
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21. We acknowledge the 13th meeting on Solid State Lighting Collaboration Sub Working Group from July 28th–30th 2026 and the plan to host the BRICS Tech Transfer Cooperation Conference, Annual BRICS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Conference, and the BRICS International Academic Conference on New Generation Bio-refinery Engineering and Efficient Biomass Energy Utilization in the second semester of 2026.
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22. We acknowledge the Workshop on BRICS Science Innovation Incubation Park for the new Era that took place on 27th–29th May 2026. The BRICS Workshop on Sustainable Development of Deep-sea Resources and Environment and Training Courses is also being planned in 2026.
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23. We take note of the planned BRICS Dialogue on water related science and technology later this year.
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24. We acknowledge the hosting of the BRICS Quantum Technologies Forum on 7th–8th June 2026. We note with appreciation the adopted Joint Statement of the BRICS countries on quantum technologies, reaffirming shared commitment to continue collective work in this important field. We encourage practical engagement of participating countries and support joint research projects between our scientists, academic institutions and innovative communities. We explore the opportunity of hosting BRICS Quantum Technologies Forum on a regular basis by the Chair country.
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25. We appreciate the hosting of the annual BRICS Geographer's Day on 18th August 2026. We recall that this unique professional celebration across the BRICS space will contribute to further collaboration in geography by launching new joint expeditions, seminars, programmes and projects.
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26. We look forward to the Workshop on Scientometrics in 2026 recognizing it as a valuable platform for participating BRICS Member States to strengthen evidence-based science, technology and innovation (STI) policymaking through the exchange of methodologies, indicators and best practices in research assessment and science analytics.
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27. Recognising the voluntary based participation in the BRICS STI Framework Programme, we appreciate the Secretariat's efforts to coordinate among the participating research and innovation funding agencies of BRICS countries. We welcome the launch of the 1st BRICS STI Framework Programme Innovation Call in August 2025, as well as the 7th BRICS STI Framework Programme call for multilateral projects and the pilot BRICS STI flagship projects call in April 2026. We look forward to the BRICS STI Funding Working Group meeting and a specialised event in October 2026 to finalise the results of the calls and mark the 10th year anniversary of the BRICS STI Framework Programme.
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28. We commend the BRICS STI Steering Committee for its continued efforts in supporting efficient planning, coordination, and implementation of activities under the BRICS STI Calendar.
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29. We endorse the BRICS STI Calendar of Activities 2026–2027, which may be reviewed by the BRICS STI Steering Committee whenever necessary. We, the BRICS countries, extend our appreciation to the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India for hosting the 16th BRICS STI Senior Officials Meeting and the 14th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting on the 19th–20th August 2026 and 21st August 2026, respectively, and look forward to the convening of these meetings under the Chairship of China in 2027.
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Adopted on the 21st August 2026, Chennai (India)