Bhopal Hosts XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting, Adopts Key Declaration
The XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting took place today in Bhopal, marking a significant step towards enhancing cultural cooperation among BRICS nations and their partners. Under India’s BRICS Chairmanship, the ministers adopted the Bhopal Declaration, which lays out a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening cultural ties and creative industries.
Key Outcomes from the Meeting
The meeting was a culmination of three meetings organized by the BRICS Culture Track, which included a virtual gathering in April and two in-person meetings in Varanasi and Bhopal. The final ministerial meeting welcomed representatives from 14 countries, comprising 10 BRICS Member States—Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates—and four Partner Countries: Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan, and Thailand. Egypt participated online, underlining the global interest and high-level engagement in this cultural dialogue, with a total of 55 delegates in attendance.
Focus on Cultural Cooperation
The discussions were framed by India’s overarching theme for BRICS, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” This guiding principle emphasized the need to transform dialogue into actionable initiatives, aiming to fortify institutional collaborations centered around culture.
The Bhopal Declaration emphasizes the advancement of the cultural and creative sectors, promoting methodologies and best practices while supporting creators through networking and improved market access facilitated by digital tools. It includes commitments to collaborate on UNESCO nominations, research on provenance, and the restitution of cultural property, among other important cultural heritage initiatives.
Pioneering Initiatives and Cultural Festivals
In a notable initiative announced during the meeting, India plans to develop a Voluntary Artist Registry, which will promote cultural exchanges and strengthen professional links among artists across BRICS nations. Additionally, the cultural highlight of India’s BRICS Chairmanship, the two-day BRICS Culture Festival held in Bhopal earlier this month, showcased vibrant artistic performances from various countries, reinforcing the theme of harmony and peace through cultural diversity.
Strengthening Bilateral Connections
Beyond the formal meetings, the Culture Track encouraged bilateral discussions at the ministerial level to explore cultural cooperation. Delegates were also given the chance to experience India’s rich cultural heritage firsthand, with visits to significant sites like the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya and the historic Buddhist heritage of Sanchi.
India expressed gratitude to all participating BRICS Member States and Partner Countries for their contributions, reiterating its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and connected cultural partnership for the future.
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