Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina: 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting
The 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting was held in Chennai, India, focusing on "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." South Africa’s Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina addressed the meeting, commending India's leadership in advancing the BRICS STI agenda. The partnership aims to address shared challenges through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, emphasizing STI as a catalyst for human progress. South Africa outlined its plan to increase R&D spending to 1.5% of GDP by 2030, up from the current 0.62%, to overcome historical imbalances in its national innovation system.
The BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting in Chennai highlights a collective push for innovation and sustainability, with South Africa's commitment to nearly triple its R&D spending to 1.5% of GDP by 2030. This move, detailed in its 2022-2032 Decadal Plan, aims to address historical inequities and boost research and development. While this is a domestic South African policy, the ambition reflects a broader BRICS focus on strengthening innovation systems and fostering scientific exchange, which could lead to more collaborative projects with Asian partners. For Asian tech and AI professionals, the key takeaway is the potential for increased scientific and technological cooperation within the BRICS bloc. India's role in hosting and leading the agenda suggests a continued emphasis on shared innovation. The challenge for South Africa, and by extension for BRICS, will be to translate these ambitious spending targets into tangible outcomes and equitable development across member states, particularly in areas like AI and advanced manufacturing.
