BRICS Science Academies Forum 2026 on AI for Sustainable Development and Global South Cooperation
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The two-day BRICS Science Academies Forum meeting-2026 was successfully held at IIT Hyderabad, focusing on leveraging AI for sustainable development and strengthening Global South cooperation. The forum saw participation from all eight BRICS member countries and five partner nations, highlighting India's role in fostering multilateral scientific collaboration.
Background
BRICS Science Academies Forum is a platform for scientific cooperation among BRICS nations. The 2026 meeting was hosted by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) at IIT Hyderabad, with the theme 'Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation'.
Key facts
The two-day BRICS Science Academies Forum meeting-2026 was held at IIT Hyderabad, hosted by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
Theme: 'Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation'.
Participants included 8 BRICS members (India, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa) and 5 partner countries (Nigeria, Vietnam, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Malaysia).
The forum emphasized a 3C approach to AI: Collective, Collaborative, and Context-sensitive.
Five priority areas for AI intervention were identified: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Healthcare, Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability, Agriculture & Food Security, and Disaster Prediction & Management.
INSA President Prof. Shekhar Mande highlighted AI's transformative role in addressing global and Global South challenges, stressing ethical, inclusive, transparent, and accessible AI systems.
INSA Vice-President (International Affairs) Dr. Debashish Mitra emphasized strengthening multilateral scientific cooperation.
IIT Hyderabad Director Prof. B.S. Murthy highlighted AI-related programs at the institute.
Country-specific presentations were made: Brazil focused on inclusive AI for healthcare, climate adaptation, and food security; China on data sharing and evidence-based policy for SDGs; Egypt on capacity building and establishing a BRICS AI network; Ethiopia on cybersecurity, AI education, and linguistic diversity; Indonesia on AI explainability, ethical risks, and human decision-making; Russia on trustworthy AI with robust ethics and institutional mechanisms.
Prelims pointers
- BRICS Science Academies Forum 2026
- IIT Hyderabad
- Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
- Global South
- 3C approach: Collective, Collaborative, Context-sensitive
- Five priority areas: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Healthcare, Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability, Agriculture & Food Security, Disaster Prediction & Management
- Partner countries: Nigeria, Vietnam, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Malaysia
- BRICS members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia
Mains angles
- Role of AI in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing Global South challenges.
- Multilateral scientific cooperation under BRICS: mechanisms, achievements, and future prospects.
- Ethical and inclusive AI: ensuring transparency, accessibility, and socio-economic equity.
- India's leadership in Global South and BRICS science diplomacy.