NEWS & UPDATES
Selected reports on BRICS cooperation and digital transformation, with original sources for further reading.
ANTARA reported on 12 September that India's ambassador to Indonesia said in a written interview that India's BRICS chairship agenda closely aligns with priorities for deeper bilateral ties.
Read articleANTARA reported on 12 September that Bank Indonesia had called for broader local-currency transactions and cross-border payment connections at the second BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Mumbai on 9–10 September, supporting financial cooperation and resilience.
Read articleWith BRICS accounting for nearly one-fourth of global trade, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal today underlined the need for member and partner countries to build deeper, more resilient and balanced trade partnerships. Addressing the Opening Session of the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Shri Goyal emphasised greater market access, diversified supply chains and simpler regulatory procedures to unlock the full potential of economic cooperation. He expressed hope that the Forum would deliver significant outcomes and take economic dialogue and business partnerships among BRICS countries to the next level.
Read articleThe Union Ministry of Education, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, is organizing ‘Bharat Innovates Exposition’ on 11-12 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi to showcase India's Deep-Tech innovations as a lead up to and alongside the 18th BRICS Summit 2026, to be held on 12th and 13th September 2026 under India’s BRICS Chairship.
Read articleA boardroom acronym for four emerging markets has grown into something far bigger. Today It is a geopolitical bloc spanning four continents. The journey runs from a four-country dialogue to today's far wider grouping. Successive waves of membership pulled in oil states, African economies and Southeast Asian partners. At the centre of this expanding architecture sits India this year, chairing the grouping for a fourth time since its inception.
Read articleOn 7 September, the Global Digital Trade Expo organizing committee office announced that the fifth expo would take place in Hangzhou on 23–27 September. Its programme includes a Hangzhou dialogue on BRICS special economic zones.
Read article(5) The two heads of state commended their continued successful cooperation on major projects in infrastructure, transport, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, science and technology, and the continued implementation of the cooperation plan between the two governments on jointly advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. Both sides support the development of the China–Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone and cooperation between enterprises on renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and localized manufacturing projects.
Read articleIn the closing session of the 14th BRICS Science Ministerial Meet chaired by India, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh announced the unanimous adoption of 'Chennai Declaration', reaffirming BRICS commitment to build effective, resilient and future- ready framework in science, technology and innovation.
Read articleThe 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting was held today at Pune, Maharashtra, under the Chairship of India and was chaired by the Union Minister of Communications, India, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and attended by Communications Ministers and heads of delegation of BRICS member countries.
Read articleIndia and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of BRICS ICT Track Meeting in Pune.
Read articleMinisterial Delegations of BRICS member countries arrived at Pune today to participate in the 12th BRICS Communications ministers meeting. During the day, the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo was held today at Pune, bringing together government, industry, academia, startups and research institutions from across BRICS member countries. The Forum, institutionalised at the 7th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India in 2021, is the multi-stakeholder platform of the BRICS ICT Track. A cultural programme and dinner was hosted by India for the visiting delegations. Welcoming the delegations, Union Minister of Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia said that, “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to this special evening of culture and fellowship. On behalf of the Government and the people of India, I extend our warmest greetings and heartfelt hospitality to all our distinguished guests. Over the past few days, Pune has become a meeting place not merely of governments, but of ideas, innovation and shared aspirations. Through the BRICS ICT Working Group, the Digital Public Infrastructure Focus Group, the Institute of Future Networks, the Digital BRICS Task Force and the Digital BRICS Forum, our experts and policymakers have explored ways to build digital ecosystems that are inclusive, secure and resilient.”
Read articleUnion Minister of State for Communications, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, delivered a keynote address today at the BRICS ICT Track Thematic Panel Discussion on "Sustainable and Resilient Digital and ICT Ecosystems: Digital Public Infrastructure for Impact – Global South Insights on Powering Public Services and Economic Growth" held in Pune.
Read articleThe Focus Group on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Digital BRICS Task Force met today at Pune on the second day of the in-person meetings of the BRICS ICT Track, alongside continuing sessions of the 7th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs.
Read articleThe in-person meetings of the BRICS Track on Cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies opened today at Pune under India’s BRICS Chairship, with the commencement of the 7th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs.
Read articleAs part of India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will lead and organise the BRICS ICT Track (Information and Communication Technologies Track) in Pune from 17 to 21 August 2026, under the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.” This will be a part of a series of meetings on key areas being held across the country under the BRICS platform. BRICS brings together eleven major emerging markets and developing countries of the world: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates.
Read article"The Russian delegation suggested strengthening cooperation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence, ensuring equal access of BRICS member states to latest technologies and an opportunity to create their own products," the ministry said in a statement.
Read articleThe XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Bhopal today under India’s BRICS Chairship and concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration, providing a practical and forward-looking framework for strengthening cultural cooperation among BRICS Member States and partner countries.
Read articleThe 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting concluded successfully today at Jaipur, Rajasthan, under India's BRICS Chairship, 2026. The Meeting was chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and was attended by Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary. Held under the overarching theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", the meeting was preceded by the Third Meeting of the BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI), held on 3 and 4 August 2026 in New Delhi.
Read articleThe Tenth BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting concluded successfully today in Jaipur, Rajasthan, under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. The meeting brought together Industry Ministers and senior representatives from BRICS member countries to culminate the ministerial engagement under the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR).
Read articleThe BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training Cooperation Alliance (BRICS-TCA) Research Symposium and Joint Management Committee (JMC) Meeting was held during August 3 - 4, 2026, at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi.
Read articleAs part of the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting, a side event titled "From Digital Health Records to AI-Enabled Healthcare: Strengthening the Continuum of Care Through Interoperable Data Infrastructure and Responsible Artificial Intelligence" was organised today, by National Health Authority, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, bringing together policymakers, technical experts and health leaders from BRICS countries to deliberate on the transformative role of digital health infrastructure and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) in delivering seamless, patient-centric healthcare.
Read articleThe Day 01 of the BRICS Science Academies Forum Meeting 2026 with the focal theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation” commenced today at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, bringing together member and participating countries from BRICS to deliberate on the 3C’s Collective, Collaborative and Context sensitive approaches towards Artificial Intelligence (AI). The forum witnessed the presence of 08 BRICS member countries - Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa along with 05 BRICS partner countries - Nigeria, Vietnam, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Malaysia.
Read articleThe 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting concluded successfully today in Chandigarh under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, bringing together Health Ministers, Heads of Delegation, senior officials and public health experts from BRICS member countries to strengthen cooperation in addressing shared public health priorities and advancing a resilient global health architecture.
Read articleAs part of its BRICS Chairship 2026, India is set to convene the Sixteenth BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting in Chandigarh from 22–24 July 2026, bringing together Health Ministers and senior health officials from BRICS member countries to deepen cooperation on health security, digital health, pandemic preparedness and equitable access to quality healthcare.
Read articleA BRICS-related forum during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference on 17 July discussed turning AI cooperation commitments into practical action. Government, UN and industry representatives highlighted gaps in developing countries' access to and use of AI.
Read articleThe BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting was successfully held in Hyderabad under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, bringing together Ministers, Heads of Delegation, representatives of BRICS member countries, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and knowledge partners to deliberate on key issues shaping the future of work.
Read articleVienna, Austria, 3 July 2026 – To help accelerate the digital and green transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), through the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC), successfully concluded its first Factory of the Future Advisor workshop.
Read articleThe BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting concluded today in Kochi, India under India's BRICS Chairmanship 2026, marking a significant milestone in advancing cooperation among BRICS Member Countries on women-led development. The four-day engagement from 6th to 9th July 2026 comprised the BRICS Women Working Group Meeting and the BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting. The occasion brought together Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior officials from across the BRICS family to deliberate on shared priorities for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.
Read articleThe 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting was successfully convened on 25 June 2026 in Gurugram, Haryana, under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 under the overarching theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Read articleShenzhen News reported on 18 June on the 2026 BRICS Future Networks Innovation Forum in Shenzhen. Representatives from BRICS and related countries exchanged policy, technology and industry experience on digital infrastructure, next-generation networks and AI.
Read articleThe 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was successfully convened on 12–13 June 2026 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, under the Presidency of India.
Read articleA report dated 9 June described the first BRICS academies forum meeting organized by the Indian National Science Academy under India's chairship. Organizer information identified 8 June as the date of the online meeting on AI for sustainable development and Global South cooperation.
Read articleOn 8 June, the Network Innovation and Development Alliance announced that the 2026 BRICS Future Networks Innovation Forum was scheduled for 16–17 June in Shenzhen. The organizers included the municipal industry and information technology bureau, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, and the BRICS Institute of Future Networks.
Read articleIndia and South Africa today agreed to scale up bilateral cooperation in future technologies, with Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure and Advanced Manufacturing emerging as key priorities for the next phase of bilateral engagement.
Read articleAn industrial software innovation subforum of the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Forum took place in Xiamen on 28 May. Participants discussed technology bottlenecks, application scenarios and industrial collaboration in manufacturing digitalization.
Read articleThe 2026 BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Forum took place in Xiamen on 27–28 May, focusing on smart manufacturing ecosystems. An accompanying exhibition presented industrial large models, embodied robots and smart agriculture technologies for industrial transformation in BRICS and related markets.
Read articleUnder India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, Department of Telecommunications successfully organized and headed the Second Meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) held in virtual mode on 21 May 2026. The meeting reflected the shared commitment of BRICS nations towards strengthening cooperation in digital technologies, future networks, innovation ecosystems, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and capacity building for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth.
Read articleThe BRICS STI Framework Programme aims to support excellent research on priority areas which can best be addressed by a multinational approach. The initiative should facilitate cooperation among the researchers and institutions in the consortia which consist of partners from at least three of the BRICS countries.
Read articleThe two sides will vigorously develop and upgrade cooperation in the automotive, shipbuilding and civil aviation industries. In a spirit of openness and inclusiveness, and taking account of their respective domestic laws and national development priorities, they will continue expanding cooperation in the digital economy, information and communication technologies including artificial intelligence, cross-border e-commerce and the extraction of relevant minerals. They will jointly advance key cooperation projects and further unlock the potential of China–Russia cooperation.
Read articleBRICS foreign ministers met in New Delhi on 14–15 May. India's chairship issued a Chair's Statement and Outcome Document identifying meaningful connectivity, ICT innovation ecosystems and digital public infrastructure cooperation as important elements of the development and innovation agenda.
Read articleXinhua reported on 14 May that the Indonesian overseas round of the 2026 BRICS Industrial Innovation Contest opened in Jakarta on 7 May. Organized by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and undertaken by China Datang Corporation, it received support from Indonesian authorities responsible for industry, investment, research and innovation.
Read article
