IASP members in BRICS collaborative efforts

The BRICS STI Incubation Network, created by the Beijing International Exchange Association (BIEA), aims to strengthen innovation capabilities and global competitiveness among BRICS nations. The initiative supports international economic development through increased collaboration in scientific and technological innovation. 

The BRICS STI Incubation Network International Advisory Committee includes several IASP members, including the IASP Latin America President Adriana Ferreira (Tecnoparq, Brazil), Banagani Mpangalasane (The Innovation Hub, South Africa) and Mozghan Yazdianpour (ISTT, Iran). The Committee allows for the members to be key innovation contributors globally, leading to enterprises to participate in the growing global economy. The BRICS STI Incubation Network presents a prime chance to contribute to scientific cooperation internationally, promoting technological advancements vital for the future development of the BRICS countries.   

From 14-16 November 2024, the BRICS STI Incubation Network and 1st International Experts Advisory Committee meeting was held in Xiamen China, where there were a variety of activities, site tours, discussions on policies, case-study sharing, and skill-building workshops. At the meeting, representatives from the BRICS member countries discussed establishing a collaborative network of BRICS science and innovation incubators and discussed the work plan for 2025.

Brazil BRICS Innovation Centre for Neoindustrialisation: 

In further BRICS-related news, UFRJ Science Park, Brazil, has launched a new initiative: the Brazil BRICS Innovation Centre for Neoindustrialisation.This comes hand-in-hand with Brazil’s New Industry Policy, calling for new industrial and technological development, talent attraction, and problem-solving through innovative solutions.  

The home of the centre will be at one of UFRJ’s top-of-the-line buildings established in the Science Park. Aimed to enhance BRICS nation collaboration in dealing with matter of public health, Blue Economy, agriculture and energy. The space will host innovation hubs for AI, public health, creative economy, and much more, putting Rio De Janeiro on the map as a global innovation hub. 

Being a multi-national ecosystem, UFRJ Science Park acts as a valuable space for the BRICS Innovation Centre for Neoindustrialisation, with over 50 entities including deep tech and research laboratories. The rich collaboration between academia and the private sector at UFRJ facilitates knowledge transfer and hence boosts Brazil’s economic position internationally, as well as within the BRICS coalition.  

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BRICS is a group which was originally formed of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Arica. The bloc aims to enhance economic, political, and cultural cooperation among its members, which together represent a significant share of the world's population, GDP, and trade. It focuses on issues like sustainable development, trade partnerships, global governance reform, and creating alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems. In October 2024, the founding members of BRICS formally welcomed into their fold five new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).