Under the Russian BRICS Chairmanship, the Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructures and Mega-Science Projects was held in Moscow and Dubna. The event was held at two venues ­– at the Kurchatov Institute in Moscow (July 1) and at the JINR site in Dubna (July 2-3). The meeting was organized with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia. On July 4, representatives of the BRICS countries had a chance to visit the Central Forest State Natural Biosphere Reserve in the Tver Region.

The events of the Working Group meeting brought together leading industry experts. The BRICS representatives addressed the issues of R&D infrastructure development and mega-science projects and delivered national reports on the current state of affairs in these areas.

Opening the discussion on the first day of the Group’s work, Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, welcomed the delegations and noted that scientific cooperation and mega-sense projects of the BRICS countries create a stable foundation for cooperation in the new multipolar system of the world order: «I am convinced that the 6th meeting of the Working Group will become a reliable basis for further international cooperation within the BRICS framework. Science unites and eliminates borders. Together we face global challenges and find solutions».

During the second day of the Group’s work, the representative from South Africa reported on the outcomes of the previous meeting, which was held in October 2023 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Among the main achievements were agreements on promoting cooperation in large-scale research infrastructures and supporting initiatives aimed at mutually beneficial utilization and development of mega-science projects in BRICS countries.

During the meeting, the Working Group reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate in previously agreed areas such as underground laboratories, synchrotrons, neutron sources, as well as the interest in supporting environmental and social and human science infrastructures within the international thematic expert subgroups (Task Force). Delegations noted the importance of remaining flexible to changes and the possible expansion of new areas of cooperation.

During the meeting of the Working group the countries’ representatives discussed the Action Plan for 2024-2025, the development of projects on the Research Infrastructure Library and Transnational Access to Research Infrastructures.

The Action Plan of the BRICS Working group on research infrastructures and mega-science projects will be submitted to the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Senior Officials’ meeting for consideration and further inclusion in the 2024 STI Ministerial Declaration.

Another important topic of the Working group’s debate was the development of the BRICS GRAIN flagship project aimed at strengthening cooperation among the BRICS countries in the field of research infrastructures. Each BRICS country committed to systematically analyze the existing landscape of major research infrastructures in BRICS countries for joint development and use.

The 6th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructures and Mega-Science Projects provided a platform for the exchange of experience, knowledge and ideas among the BRICS member countries aimed at strengthening international cooperation in science and technology.