Executive Summary
The XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Bhopal on August 8, 2026, under India’s Chairship with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration. The meeting established a practical framework for cultural cooperation, focusing on creative industries, heritage preservation, and digital integration. Key upcoming activities include a scheduled delegation visit to the prehistoric rock shelters of Bhimbetka on August 9, 2026.
Key Points / Main Content
The Bhopal Declaration
Establishes a framework for strengthening cooperation in cultural and creative industries and the creative economy.
Facilitates the exchange of methodologies, best practices, and support for creators through networking and digital market access.
Prioritizes UNESCO multinational nominations and provenance research for the return and restitution of cultural property.
Technology and Intellectual Property
Explores the use of AI-enabled tracing tools for cultural property.
Advocates for the protection of creators' rights and ensures fair remuneration regarding the use of copyrighted works in Artificial Intelligence systems.
Focuses on the digitization and conservation of documentary heritage through cooperation among museums, libraries, and archives.
Indian Initiatives and Cultural Exchange
Launch of a pilot "Voluntary Artist Registry" to facilitate professional networking and create opportunities for practitioners across BRICS nations.
Organization of the BRICS Culture Festival (August 6–7, 2026), showcasing diverse artistic traditions under the theme "Harmony and Peace to All."
Emphasis on bilateral engagements to explore mutual interests in cultural cooperation at the ministerial and secretarial levels.
Heritage and Knowledge Systems
Commitment to safeguarding Traditional Knowledge Systems and Traditional Cultural Expressions.
Focus on experiencing and promoting civilizational heritage, including Buddhist sites like Sanchi and prehistoric sites like Bhimbetka.
Impact Analysis
BRICS Member and Partner CountriesImpact
Member states (including new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, and Iran) and partner countries are now part of a structured framework that promotes unity through cultural diversity and institutional cooperation.
Action Required
Countries must collaborate on joint UNESCO nominations and engage in the exchange of methodologies for creative industries.
Artists and Creative PractitionersImpact
They gain enhanced market access through digital tools and a platform for international professional networking.
Action Required
Artists are encouraged to participate in the new Voluntary Artist Registry to facilitate cross-border cultural exchanges.
Cultural Institutions (Museums, Libraries, and Archives)Impact
Institutions will see increased cooperation in the fields of digitization, conservation, and the restitution of cultural property.
Action Required
Institutional leaders must implement shared best practices for safeguarding documentary heritage and explore AI tools for tracing cultural artifacts.
Visiting DelegationsImpact
Delegates from 14 countries were provided with high-level engagement opportunities and exposure to India’s prehistoric and religious heritage sites.
Action Required
Participating delegations are scheduled to complete the cultural track with a visit to Bhimbetka on the morning of August 9, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Bhopal Declaration: A practical and forward-looking framework adopted to strengthen cultural cooperation, creative industries, and heritage conservation among BRICS member and partner countries.
XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting: A high-level ministerial gathering held in Bhopal under India’s Chairship to finalize cultural initiatives and adopt the Bhopal Declaration.
Voluntary Artist Registry: A pilot initiative launched by India to facilitate cultural exchanges, strengthen professional networks, and create opportunities for creative practitioners across BRICS.
BRICS Culture Festival: A major cultural component of the ministerial meeting featuring performances from member and partner nations to promote artistic exchange and people-to-people connectivity.
Ministry of Culture: The primary government department responsible for organizing the BRICS Culture Track meetings and implementing the resulting cultural initiatives.
Ministry of Culture
XI BRICS CULTURE MINISTERS’ MEETING
CONCLUDES IN BHOPAL; BHOPAL
DECLARATION ADOPTED
प्रव तथ: 08 AUG 2026 1:54PM by PIB Delhi
The XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Bhopal today under India’s BRICS Chairship and
concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration, providing a practical and forward-looking
framework for strengthening cultural cooperation among BRICS Member States and partner countries.
The BRICS Culture Track under India’s Chairship progressed through three Culture Working Group
meetings. The first meeting was held virtually on 29–30 April 2026, followed by the second meeting in
Varanasi on 4–5 June 2026 and the third meeting in Bhopal on 5–6 August 2026. The Ministerial Meeting
held today witnessed participation from 14 countries, including India, comprising 10 BRICS Member
Countries and 4 Partner Countries. The BRICS Member Countries participating were Brazil, China,
Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, with Egypt
joining the Ministerial Meeting online. The Partner Countries were Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan and
Thailand. The Culture Ministers of Indonesia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates also participated
in the Ministerial Meeting, reflecting the high-level engagement in the Culture Track. A total of 55
delegates participated in the meetings.The deliberations were guided by India’s overarching BRICS theme, “Building for Resilience,
Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with emphasis on translating dialogue into practical
initiatives and strengthening institutional cooperation in the field of culture.
The Bhopal Declaration, adopted today, advances cooperation in the cultural and creative industries and
creative economy, including the exchange of methodologies, experiences and best practices, support for
creators, networking and expanded opportunities for market access through digital tools. It also provides
for enhanced cooperation on UNESCO multinational nominations, provenance research and the return and
restitution of cultural property, including exploration of AI enabled tracing tools; safeguarding Traditional
Knowledge Systems and Traditional Cultural Expressions; cooperation among museums, libraries and
archives in documentary heritage, digitisation and conservation; and protection of creators’ rights,
transparency and fair and equitable remuneration in relation to the use of copyrighted works in Artificial
Intelligence systems.
As a concrete initiative under the Culture Track, India announced a pilot initiative to develop a Voluntary
Artist Registry. The initiative is envisaged to facilitate cultural exchanges, strengthen professional
networks and create greater opportunities for artists and creative practitioners across BRICS.
A major cultural component of India’s BRICS Chairship was the two-day BRICS Culture Festival held in
Bhopal on 6–7 August 2026. The Festival witnessed participation from BRICS Member and Partner
Countries, with Belarus, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia and the United Arab Emirates presenting cultural
performances showcasing the richness and diversity of their artistic traditions. Centred on the timeless
Indian ethos “सव भवु सुखनः” — “Harmony and Peace to All” — the Festival provided a vibrant platform
for cultural dialogue, artistic exchange and people-to-people connectivity. On the second day, a collective
ensemble performance of the theme in the languages of participating BRICS countries symbolised unity
through cultural diversity.The Culture Track also provided an opportunity for bilateral engagement. Bilateral meetings with
participating countries were held at the level of the Union Minister of Culture and the Secretary, Ministry
of Culture, providing an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening bilateral cultural cooperation and
exploring areas of mutual interest.
The programme further offered visiting delegations an opportunity to experience India’s rich cultural and
civilisational heritage. On 5th August, delegates visited the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
(IGRMS), Bhopal. Following the Ministerial Meeting, delegations are being taken to Sanchi today to
experience its significant Buddhist heritage. A visit to Bhimbetka is scheduled for the morning of 9th
August, offering the participating delegations an opportunity to experience India’s prehistoric rock shelters
and ancient cultural heritage.India expressed its appreciation to all participating BRICS Member States and Partner Countries for their
constructive engagement and active participation during its Chairship and reaffirmed its commitment to
continued cooperation towards a more connected, inclusive and future-ready cultural partnership within
BRICS.
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M Annadurai
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2296478) आगंतुक पटल : 2235
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Telugu , Marathi , Gujarati , Urdu , ही , Bengali , Bengali-TR , Punjabi , Tamil , Kannada , Malayala
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