Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Earth Sciences on 20th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The 8th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Ocean Polar Science and Technology (OPST) was held in Goa from 12–14 August 2026, hosted by India’s National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). The meeting aimed to strengthen scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange in ocean and polar research among member nations. Key outcomes include agreements on joint biodiversity studies and the finalization of a roadmap and action plan for short-term implementation under India's coordination.
Key Points / Main Content
Meeting Overview and Participation
The event was organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) during India’s BRICS Presidency.
Delegations included senior officials and scientists from Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
The meeting served as a platform for deliberating on scientific cooperation, capacity building, and collaborative research.
Priority Areas of Deliberation
Coastal Protection: Focus on addressing challenges of coastal zones and the protection of coastal cities.
Ocean Observation: Strengthening the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) to develop robust and resilient ocean information services.
Polar Research: Advancing joint polar research and ensuring inclusive participation in Antarctic Expeditions.
Youth Development: Enhancing capacity-building opportunities specifically for young researchers.
Joint Agreements and Future Roadmaps
Member countries agreed to collaborative initiatives in building coastal resilience and conducting joint polar ocean biodiversity studies.
Milestones were set for the International Polar Year – 5.
India will lead the finalization of the Working Group’s roadmap and the action plan for its short-term implementation.
Consensus was reached on sharing research infrastructure and institutional linkages.
Impact Analysis
BRICS Member CountriesImpact
Member nations (Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and UAE) gain a formal framework for scientific cooperation, infrastructure sharing, and joint research in ocean and polar sciences.
Action Required
Countries must translate meeting outcomes into concrete collaborative actions, including joint research initiatives and the exchange of scientists and students.
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), IndiaImpact
As the lead organizer and current chair under India’s BRICS Presidency, MoES is responsible for the strategic direction of the working group.
Action Required
MoES must coordinate the finalization of the roadmap and the short-term implementation of the action plan.
Young Researchers and ScientistsImpact
There is a renewed focus on capacity building, providing increased opportunities for young researchers to participate in international expeditions and exchange programs.
Action Required
Researchers should engage with the upcoming collaborative initiatives and exchange programs facilitated by the member institutional linkages.
Key Entities Referenced
BRICS Working Group on Ocean Polar Science and Technology (OPST): The primary international body coordinating collaborative research and policy deliberations in ocean and polar sciences among BRICS member nations.
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): The lead Indian ministry responsible for organizing the 8th working group meeting and coordinating national activities in ocean and polar science.
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR): The host institution and India’s premier R&D organization for polar and ocean sciences, central to the execution of joint research initiatives.
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) framework: The cooperative policy framework under which BRICS member countries conduct joint science and technology initiatives.
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS): An international collaborative program identified in the meeting for development of resilient ocean information services.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
BRICS 8th Ocean and Polar Science and
Technology working group meeting
प्रव तथ: 20 AUG 2026 5:33PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) organized the 8th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Ocean
Polar Science and Technology (OPST) at Goa, hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean
Research (NCPOR) from 12–14 August 2026 during India’s BRICS Presidency. Since the establishment
of the BRICS OPST Working Group, the activities are conducted by MoES in coordination with the
Department Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India under the framework of Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI) cooperation activities among BRICS member countries. The meeting brought
together senior officials, scientists, experts, and representatives from Brazil, China, Egypt, India,
Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates to deliberate on areas of mutual interest
and further strengthen cooperation in ocean and polar science and technology. The meeting was
inaugurated on 12th August by Dr. Thamban Meloth, Director, NCPOR and Dr. Madhavan Nair Rajeevan,
VC Atria University and former Secretary of MoES graced as Chief Guest. The 3 days long event was
Chaired by Director, NCPOR, Goa and attended by the delegations from BRICS member countries. The
Indian delegation was constituted of officials and scientists from MoES, DST, and headed by Dr. Sandip
Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Scientist G & Advisor, MoES.
This working group meeting acted as a platform for deliberations and discussions on scientific
cooperation, exchange of knowledge, capacity building and development of collaborative research
activities among BRICS member countries in the field of Ocean and Polar research. The deliberations
were focused on the issues and opportunities of BRICS countries like challenges of the costal zones with
special emphasis on protection of coastal cities; strengthening the Global Ocean Observing System
(GOOS) through collaborative contribution for the development of robust and resilient ocean information
services; development of joint polar research and inclusive participation in the Antarctic Expedition;
enhanced opportunities for capacity building in particular for young researchers. During the meeting the
delegations of BRICS countries jointly agreed for collaborative initiative in building up coastal resilience,
carrying out joint polar ocean biodiversity study, setting milestones for International Polar Year – 5 and
promoting capacity building of young researchers. During BRICS Presidency India will coordinate for
finalisation of the ongoing work on the development of roadmap for the Working Group including the
action plan for its short-term implementation.
Addressing the concluding session of the 8th Meeting of the BRICS-OPST through virtual mode, Dr. T.
Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India,
expressed his appreciation to the delegates from BRICS member countries for the fruitful deliberations
and outcomes of the three-day meeting held in Goa. He noted that the meeting had provided a valuable
platform for strengthening scientific cooperation in ocean and polar sciences. The Secretary expressed
satisfaction over the consensus reached on key priority areas and encouraged member countries to
translate the outcomes of the meeting into concrete collaborative actions, including joint research
initiatives, exchange of scientists and students, sharing of research infrastructure, and strengtheninginstitutional linkages. He expressed his confidence that the recommendations and outcomes of the meeting
would further strengthen BRICS cooperation in ocean and polar science and technology. The meeting
ended reaffirming the commitment of BRICS countries to advancing ocean and polar science and
technology through collaborative efforts and strengthened partnerships.
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NKR/JKP
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