On June 24-25, the BRICS Working Group on Biotechnology and Biomedicine, including Human Health and Neurosciences will meet at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) in Moscow. This Working Group operates under the science, technology and innovation track within BRICS cooperation, which is one of the most dynamically developing areas of cooperation between the BRICS countries. Meetings of senior officials and ministers of science, technology and innovation and meetings of 13 BRICS thematic working groups are held on an annual basis, as well as various other events: Water Forum, BRICS Young Scientists Forum, BRICS Young Innovators Prize, Conference on Technology Foresight and STI Policy, BRICS Academies of Sciences Meeting, etc.
According to the Russian presidential order signed on June 18, 2024, ensuring healthy longevity is one of the priority directions of national scientific and technological development, and the biotechnology and biomedicine areas are considered to be the most important science-intensive technologies.
Given the high importance of Russia’s BRICS Chairmanship this year, the meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Biotechnology and Biomedicine, including Human Health and Neuroscience, is a major step in strengthening international cooperation in the development of the country’s priority areas.
The working language of the meeting is English. The meeting will be held for 2 days and is aimed at bringing together leading industry experts, local representatives and international participants. The event will be attended by official delegations from Brazil, Russia, India, Iran, China, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.
The meeting program includes plenary sessions, panel discussions and working sessions where experts from the BRICS countries will have an opportunity to deliver reports on the current state of biomedicine area, including human health and neuroscience in BRICS countries, discuss the development of joint research projects, as well as proposals for cooperation in the field of agro-biotechnology, food innovation and healthy nutrition.
During the second day of the meeting, the delegates will visit Skoltech Neuro center and Agro center, as well as get acquainted with the Skolkovo Biocluster. Experts will discuss the new innovative cycle of vaccine and drug development in BRICS countries and opportunities to participate in the BRICS STI Framework Programme calls. The program also includes reports by representatives of Motorica, ChemRar and EFCO Group. A joint discussion will conclude the program, where the participants are expected to summarize the results, define the main priorities in the areas of cooperation and the Working Group’s plans for the next year.
The BRICS Working Group Meeting will provide a platform for the exchange of experience and best practices in the field of biotechnology and biomedicine among the BRICS countries.
The event is organized with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia. Information and analytical assistance is provided by the International Centre for Innovations in Science, Technology and Education.