Dr Jitendra addresses BRICS meet, suggests joint fight against common challenges
STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Addressing the 10th BRICS meet of Science & Technology Ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) on Tuesday, Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh called for joint fight against common challenges.
In his opening remarks, he said that BRICS countries face many similar challenges such as ensuring food, affordable healthcare and energy access for its people, and addressing environmental problems like climate change, biodiversity loss etc.
The Minister also underlined the importance of Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) in bringing together our researchers to tackle new and emerging challenges.
Wang Zhigang, Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology, China, Dr. Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, Minister, Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, South Africa, Paulo Alvim, Minister, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazil, Valery Falkov, Minister, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Russia took part in the 10th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting along with senior officials and scientists.
Dr Jitendra said, in order to resolve these challenges, it is imperative for us to join hands to innovate affordable scientific solutions.
He pointed out that there are several areas where the lives of our people are directly benefited from our mutual cooperation like the establishment of a vaccine R&D centre, BRICS Network University, establishment of shared satellite constellation, mutual recognition of pharma products, etc.
Dwelling on the main session theme on “Strengthening BRICS STI Cooperation”, Dr Jitendra said, BRICS countries must deepen cooperation in the areas like Health, Agriculture, Water, Renewable Energy, biotechnology, Electric mobility, ICT, AI, Robotics and Environment. He said, the network of BRICS countries can collaborate to develop joint S&T solutions, commercialized to fit their local economies.
Dr Jitendra said, India would support BRICS efforts in developing innovative and inclusive solutions, including digital and technological tools to promote sustainable development and facilitate affordable and equitable access to global public goods for all.
Referring to India’s efforts and march in STI area, Dr Jitendra said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always emphasized that ultimate aim of all scientific endeavour is to bring “Ease of Living” for common man; and a “science-based development”. He said, India is moving along the mantra of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, and Jai Anusandhan,’ which essentially believes in coordination of various sectors to make India a global centre of research and innovation.
The Minister reiterated that India remains committed to environmental and climate causes. In the closing session, where BRICS STI Declaration 2022 was adopted, Dr Jitendra said, advancing BRICS innovation enterprises, developing next generation BRICS scientific leadership and enabling resource sharing should be our guiding strategy of BRICS STI partnership. He said, BRICS countries may explore opportunities of technology transfer & mechanism thereof and adaptation of intra-BRICS technologies among member nations.
