BRICS Academic Forum: From National Practices to Common Approaches

The 18th BRICS Academic Forum has concluded in Lucknow, India. Serving as a “Track II diplomacy” platform ahead of the BRICS Summit, the event brought together over 80 experts from research, academic, and think‑tank institutions representing 11 member and partner countries.

The forum’s first day kicked off with the UNICEFхORF BRICS Child Futures Forum — a platform designed to consolidate the expert community and develop strategies to ensure the well‑being of children and youth in BRICS member states.

That same day, the session “Reformed Multilateralism: Global Governance for a Shared Future” took place. Key challenges highlighted included climate risks, conflicts, and supply chain disruptions. Against this backdrop, the role of developing‑country groupings (BRICS, IBSA, the African Union) is growing.

Priorities identified include improving the effectiveness of international institutions, coordinating the UN with regional bodies, restoring trust in traditional institutions, speeding up crisis response, ensuring balanced representation, and enhancing decision‑making transparency.

The second day opened with an Inaugural Session featuring welcome addresses from the organizers, representatives of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and the heads of national coordinators of the BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC).

According to Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER) Ministry of External Affairs of India and BRICS Sherpa, BRICS originally emerged as a response to the transformation of the global economy. As emerging markets became the main drivers of growth, the platform gave these countries the opportunity to act together and promote a more balanced and just world order.

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council‑Russia, highlighted the path the grouping has travelled over 20 years: “From the first meeting of foreign ministers in 2006 at the UN to the establishment of its own institutions — such as the New Development Bank and the BRICS Network University — BRICS has come a long way. Today, the academic agenda does not merely support political cooperation: it helps pre‑work solutions, test formulations, and identify common approaches before issues reach the leaders’ table. It is in this direct expert dialogue that the substantive foundation is created — the one that underpins the final declarations,” she underscored.

The session “Investing in Resilience: A Systemic Imperative” focused on building resilience as a long‑term strategy. Experts noted the growing global instability and agreed that BRICS needs to strengthen internal coordination, manage the diverse interests of member countries consistently, and systematically institutionalize the grouping’s expansion. The main emphasis was on making resilience a cross‑cutting principle of economic and institutional policy, supported by long‑term mechanisms for adaptation and vulnerability reduction.

At the session “Scaling Sustainability: Energy, Infrastructure, and the SDGs”, participants discussed how the diversity of approaches among BRICS countries can become a resource for jointly addressing challenges. Mixed financing and the role of the New Development Bank in stabilizing investment flows amid currency volatility were at the core of the discussion. Special attention was given to the “green transition” as an economic opportunity — leveraging economies of scale and declining technology costs. Experts also addressed technology transfer and intellectual property rights (patents, licensing), mutual recognition of standards and management practices as tools to accelerate joint projects.

The session “From Breakthrough to Scale: Making Technology Delive” centered on scaling technology solutions, with artificial intelligence identified as a key priority. Experts stressed the need to move toward binding international standards (in line with the WAICO logic) and to manage AI‑related risks. Building human capital through scholarships and digital education platforms was highlighted as an important direction. Given that BRICS countries account for 45–50 % of global internet users, participants noted the high potential for rapid scaling of digital solutions. They also discussed the risks of technological dependence and data vulnerabilities, proposing measures to strengthen digital sovereignty.

During the session “Innovation for People, Planet, and Enterprise”, the focus was on human capital and aligning education systems with labor market needs. Discussions covered end‑to‑end “education‑to‑employment” pathways and adapting curricula to new technologies. Experts examined regulatory frameworks and innovation management mechanisms, as well as opportunities for intra‑BRICS cooperation in technology transfer, joint investments, and infrastructure projects.

The session “Cogs, Wheels and Seas: BRICS and the Connectivity Question” framed connectivity as a complex challenge with both economic and strategic dimensions. Participants discussed “hard” connectivity (transport corridors, sea routes) and “soft” connectivity (customs procedures, digital documentation, harmonization of technical standards). Particular attention was paid to the geopolitics of transport corridors, maritime security, and the resilience of logistics chains. As tools to address these challenges, experts highlighted mobilizing private capital and developing South‑South cooperation frameworks — which enable flexible and resilient interaction models outside traditional decision‑making centers.

In the session “Navigating Multipolarity: BRICS and the New Global Order”, experts explored how the grouping — including new members from Africa and West Asia — can serve as a pillar for collective decision‑making and reform of the global system amid the shortcomings of traditional institutions. Key topics included reconciling the diverse interests of member countries, identifying areas of convergence, and strengthening the representation of developing economies in decision‑making.

Shambhu L. Hakki, Joint Secretary (MER&G20) of Ministry of External Affairs of India and BRICS S‑Sherpa, outlined the key development vectors for the grouping in his presentation “India’s BRICS Presidency: Reflections on Cooperation”. According to him, BRICS should reinforce its role as the primary platform for South‑South cooperation by delivering practical outcomes, expanding partnerships, and influencing the global governance agenda.

Deepening collaboration in the economic, technological, and institutional spheres is seen as essential for the bloc’s effectiveness — this will enhance BRICS’ cohesion and relevance in a changing world.

On the sidelines of the BRICS Academic Forum, the BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC) submitted its recommendations to representatives of India’s Ministry of External Affairs as part of preparations for the upcoming BRICS Summit. The BTTC materials will inform India’s national positions and be used to shape proposals for high‑level intergovernmental consultations.

The Forum also saw the launch of the BRICS Compendium: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, bringing together 48 authors from more than 25 institutions across the BRICS countries.

The final day featured a Youth Tounhall on India’s BRICS Сhairmanship with Shambhu L. Hakki who reflected on India’s approach to multilateral cooperation and the importance of shared progress. “The idea is simple: you cannot grow alone. Countries must work together and grow together,” the Sous-Sherpa said.

The BRICS Academic Forum was organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and the University of Lucknow.