The 16th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) concluded today in Chennai after two days of deliberations, paving the way for the 14th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting on August 21, 2026.  The 14th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting will be chaired by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh.

 

The meeting was organised as part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

 

The SOM, coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as a nodal department and hosted by IIT Madras, brought together senior officials and representatives of BRICS member countries. The proceedings were chaired by Dr. Praveenkumar Somasundaram, Head, International Cooperation, DST, with Dr. Arindam Bhattacharyya, BRICS-STI Nodal, DST, presenting updates on BRICS STI activities.

 

The two-day (August 19-20, 2026) deliberations covered the progress of BRICS STI Working Groups, priority areas and proposals of member countries, review of STI priorities, the BRICS STI Framework Programme and upcoming initiatives including the BRICS Young Scientist Forum and Young Innovator’s Prize.

 

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