Theme: BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Partnership – Building Responsive Inclusive Collective Solutions

1. Preparatory to and in line with the proposed Goa Declaration and Action Plan to be adopted at the Eighth Summit on 15-16 October 2016 in Goa, India, we, the Ministers and their representatives for Science, technology and Innovation of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, met in Jaipur, the Republic of India, on the 8th of October 2016, for the 4th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting to build further collaboration based on the provisions of the BRICS Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation (MoU).
2. Taking into consideration the theme of the Eighth BRICS Summit- Building Responsive Collective Solutions; we return our commitment to implement the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership adopted at the BRICS Ufa Summit which emphasized utilizing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as key drivers to address global and regional socio-economic challenges.
3. Welcoming the collective achievements of BRICS partners in the realization of initiatives established in accordance with the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Work Plan 2015-2018 (Work Plan 2015 -2018) and Moscow Declaration adopted at 28 October 2015, we reaffirm our commitment to implement the Work Plan 2015-2018. We will intensify, diversify and institutionalize STI cooperation as outlines in the BRICS MoU on Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation through the mechanisms of the BRICS Research and Innovation Initiative.
4. Welcoming the outcomes of the Second Meeting of the BRICS STI Funding Parties on the Development of the BRICS Research and Innovation Initiative and Frist Meetings of BRICS STI Funding Working Group held in Beijing on 19-21 January 2016, we welcome the signing of the Arrangement of the BRICS STI Framework Program and the Implementation Plan (hereinafter -BRICS Arrangements). These Arrangements will be instrumental in implementation of BRICS countries joint initiative on multilateral interdisciplinary research & innovation funding under the BRICS STI Framework Program as evident from the launching of the 1st BRICS pilot Call 2016 in mutually agreed priority areas. We take note of the huge response of BRICS scientists to work together in the BRICS multilateral research projects.
5. We take note of the conclusions of the First Photonics Conference of BRICS countries held on May 30-31, 2016, Moscow. We welcome the establishment of a BRICS Working Group on Photonics.
6. We welcome the establishment of BRICS Geospatial Working Group and its 1st Meeting held in India on 3 March 2016.
7. We welcome the hosting of 1st BRICS Young Scientist Conclave by India during 26-30 September, 2016 under the framework of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum being coordinated by India, as mandated by BRICS Leaders during 7th BRICS Summit. We take note of the recommendations of the BRICS Young Scientists Conclave.
8. We welcome India’s proposal to host the BRICS Young Scientist Forum-Conclave on a rotation basis in the BRICS Chair country to keep the momentum of engaging youth of BRICS countries and explore mechanisms for implamentation.
9. We welcome India’s proposal to establish the BRICS Innovative Idea Prize for Young Scientists within the framework of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum.
10. We welcome the establishment of the BRICS Working Group on Astronomy and its meetings held in South Africa and Russia.
11. We take note of outcomes of the BRICS thematic session on Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters outlines during Annual Conference of the International Society for Integrated Disaster Risk Management hosted by India in October 2015 in New Delhi; and of the BRICS Special Session on Natural disaster risk prevention and Mitigation in Coastal Areas jointly organized by Russia and Brazil in Saint Petersburg on 26 August, 2016.
12. We take note of the 1st Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Ocean and Polar Science and Technology held in Beijing on 26-28 September 2016 coordinated by Brazil.
13. We take note of the 2nd BRICS Water Forum hosted by Russia during 29-30 September 2016.
14. We take note of the 2nd Meeting of BRICS Working Group on Solid State Lightning hosted by China in November, 2015.
15. We agree to launch the next BRICS Framework program call for research and innovation proposals in May 2017.
16. We agree on the speedy establishment of the BRICS Working Group on Research infrastructure, and Mega-Science to reinforce the BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network (BRICS-GRAIN). We recommend exploring the possibility of supporting such initiatives through new Development Bank as well other similar organizations.
17. We encourage synergies of the BRICS Research and Innovation initiative with the BRICS Network University.
18. We welcome India’s proposal to establish a BRICS Science and Technology driven Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnership. We Agree to start consultations and discussions to implement this initiative.
19. Pursuant to the BRICS Work Plan 2015-2018, we take note of the progress made during 2015-2016 and endorse the Action Plan 2016-2017 as updated.
20. Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa convey their appriciation to India for hosting the 4th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting and the 6 th BRICS STI SOM in Jaipur.
21. India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa welcome the offer of China to host the 5th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting and the 7th BRICS STI SOM in 2017.

Done at Jaipur on October 8, 2016