XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting concludes in Bhopal; Bhopal Declaration adopted

The XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Bhopal under India’s Chairship has just concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration, a forward-looking framework to strengthen cultural cooperation among BRICS and partner countries.

Participation:
14 countries, including 10 BRICS members (Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, UAE) and 4 partner countries (Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Thailand).

Theme:
Guided by India’s overarching BRICS theme — “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Bhopal Declaration:
- Cooperation in cultural and creative industries, creative economy, and digital market access.
- Enhanced collaboration on UNESCO multinational nominations, provenance research, and restitution of cultural property (including AI-enabled tracing tools).
- Safeguarding Traditional Knowledge Systems and Cultural Expressions.
- Strengthening cooperation among museums, libraries, and archives in digitisation and conservation.
- Protection of creators’ rights and fair remuneration in relation to AI use of copyrighted works.

Concrete Initiatives
- Voluntary Artist Registry (India’s pilot project): To facilitate cultural exchanges, strengthen networks, and create opportunities for artists across BRICS.
- BRICS Culture Festival (Bhopal, 6–7 August 2026): Showcased performances from Belarus, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, and UAE, centred on the ethos “सर्वे भर्वन्तु सुखिनः” — Harmony and Peace to All.

Cultural Immersion
Delegates experienced India’s heritage through visits to:
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal
- Sanchi Buddhist heritage site
- Bhimbetka rock shelters

India closed the meeting by reaffirming its commitment to building a connected, inclusive, and future-ready cultural partnership within BRICS.