Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on 2nd August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
India is hosting the Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSO) of BRICS countries in Lucknow from 03 to 04 August 2026. Under the theme "Quality Statistics as Driver of Change," the summit aims to strengthen cooperation in data dissemination, innovation, and the harmonization of statistical standards. Key deliverables include the development of the 2026 Joint Statistical Publication (JSP) and discussions on AI readiness and administrative data.
Key Points / Main Content
Event Overview and Participation
Host and Location: The meeting is chaired by India and held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Participants: Representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Strategic Themes: Guided by the overarching 2026 BRICS theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," with a specific statistical focus on data quality and people-centric systems.
Priority Areas for BRICS Statistics Track
Core Products: Strengthening the Joint Statistical Publication (JSP) and the Snapshot BRICS JSP.
System Reform: Promoting innovation and reform within National Statistical Systems.
Data Management: Improving data dissemination, accessibility, and the quality of macroeconomic and sectoral statistics.
Technical Foundations: Building on the April 2026 Technical Meeting which established frameworks, responsibilities, and timelines for 2026 statistical contributions.
Side Events and Knowledge Exchange
Administrative Data: A half-day session on "Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data" scheduled for 03 August 2026.
Artificial Intelligence: A half-day session on "AI Readiness in the Evolving Data Ecosystem" scheduled for 04 August 2026.
Stakeholder Engagement: Inclusion of academia, think tanks, civil society organizations, and technical experts to foster the exchange of best practices.
Impact Analysis
National Statistical Offices (NSOs) of BRICS Member NationsImpact
The NSOs are responsible for the evolution of statistical cooperation from basic data collection to deep alignment on data standards and harmonization. They are tasked with meeting the growing demand for high-frequency and granular data.
Action Required
NSOs must provide contributions for the JSP and Snapshot 2026 according to the mutually agreed framework and timelines established during the April technical meeting.
Policymakers and ResearchersImpact
These stakeholders rely on the robust, harmonized statistics provided by the JSP and Snapshot to track development, guide evidence-based decisions, and build mutual understanding across member states.
Action Required
Engage with the updated statistical products and participate in side events to integrate innovation, such as AI and administrative data, into policymaking frameworks.
Technical Experts, Academia, and Think TanksImpact
These groups are brought into the BRICS statistics ecosystem to provide expertise on modernizing data systems and assessing AI readiness.
Action Required
Participate in the scheduled half-day side events on 03 and 04 August 2026 to facilitate knowledge exchange and discuss the evolving data ecosystem.
Key Entities Referenced
BRICS Statistics Track: An international cooperation framework aimed at strengthening statistical products, reforming national statistical systems, and enhancing data dissemination among BRICS nations.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation: The nodal Indian ministry responsible for hosting the 2026 BRICS Heads of National Statistical Offices meeting under India's Chairship.
Joint Statistical Publication (JSP): A key policy document published by BRICS member countries since 2010 to provide harmonized data for evidence-based policymaking.
Snapshot BRICS JSP: A harmonized data product introduced in 2020 to provide accessible statistical overviews of BRICS member nations.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: The host city for the 2026 Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices of BRICS Countries.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices
of BRICS Countries
"Quality Statistics as Driver of Change"
प्रव तथ: 02 AUG 2026 3:58PM by PIB Delhi
The meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSO) of BRICS Countries (Brazil, Russia, India,
China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE))
is scheduled to be held under the Chairship of India from 03 to 04 August 2026, at Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh, India.
India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the overarching theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation,
Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS)." Within the BRICS Statistics track, India has adopted the theme
"Quality Statistics as Driver of Change", reflecting an unwavering commitment to data quality, innovation,
effective dissemination, and people-centric statistical systems that are responsive to rapid technological
advancements, the growing demand for high-frequency and granular data, and the increasing reliance on
official statistics to support evidence-based, sustainable, and inclusive development.
Modern BRICS policymaking relies on robust statistics to track development, guide decisions, and build
mutual understanding. Since 2010, member countries have published the Joint Statistical Publication (JSP)
and Snapshot BRICS JSP (introduced in 2020) to offer accessible, harmonized data. Over time, BRICS
statistical cooperation has evolved from basic data collection into deeper alignment on data standards,
harmonization, and innovation for policymakers, researchers, and the public. Two main events on
statistical matters are held every year along with side events:
(i) Technical Meeting of NSOs
(ii) Meeting of Heads of NSOs
The Technical Meeting was held during 16 April-17 April, 2026 primarily to facilitate discussions on the
chapters of the BRICS JSP and Snapshot BRICS JSP, The discussions were focussed on developing a
mutually agreed framework for the JSP and Snapshot 2026, as well as determining the allocation of
responsibilities and establishing timelines for contributions from each National Statistical Office (NSO).
The BRICS Statistics Track aims to deliver outcomes under the following priority areas:
Strengthening Core BRICS Statistical Products (JSP & Snapshot)
Innovation and Reform in National Statistical Systems
Data Dissemination and Accessibility
Strengthening Macroeconomic and Sectoral Statistics
The Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices of BRICS Countries is expected to be attended by
representatives from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and UAE and
with the objective to further strengthen cooperation in the areas of dissemination of statistics throughBRICS JSP, innovation in statistical systems, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
Two half-day side events with participation from National Statistical Offices of BRICS Countries,
policymakers, academia, think tanks, civil society organizations and technical experts, are also being
organized alongside the BRICS Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) Meeting on the following
themes:
Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data 03 August 2026)
Al Readiness in the Evolving Data Ecosystem 04 August 2026)
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