Astronomers Collaboration In BRICS Countries
Source : PIB
GS II : Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Why in News ?

Astronomers Collaboration In BRICS Countries discussed. BRICS nations highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration among astronomers from the countries at the seventh meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group Meeting.

Key Facts

• India hosted the seventh meeting of BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG)
  • Meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as well as astronomers from these countries.
  • Held under the Science, Technology, and Innovation track of the BRICS 2021.
  • It witnessed participation of all five BRICS countries with more than 50 participants, including researchers, academicians, and government officials.
• Major Outcomes
  • Strategic and operational matters and recommended the networking of existing Telescopes in BRICS countries.
  • It aims to create regional Data Network and agreed to develop flagship project in this area.
  • future directions of research in this area such as building network of intelligent telescope and data network.
  • Seek funding support to realize the flagship project whenever funding opportunity announced by BRICS funding agencies.

Need for the Astronomers Collaboration In BRICS Countries

• Astronomy is in the forefront of science and technology
• It has the potential to answer fundamental questions on the origins of the universe.
• Also had the answer for humanity’s place in it.
• Astronomy also is a key driver of innovation and an important catalyst for scientific and technical development It will empower human capacity for the knowledge-based economy of the future.

BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG)

• Mission of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group is to promote cooperation between BRICS member countries in the field of astronomy
• The cooperation enabling technologies through joint activities of government, universities, research institutions, and industry.
• Will helps to develop astronomical sciences, generate new knowledge, train human capital, develop new technologies and applications, and improve public understanding of science.
• Each party will participate at their own cost unless alternative sources of funding can be identified.
• Reports on the activities of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group will be submitted to the BRICS STI Senior Officials’ Meeting.
• The Department of Science and Technology of South Africa acts as the Secretariat to the Astronomy Working Group.

About BRICS

• The acronym for five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• The grouping has held annual summits since 2009.
• New Development Bank (NDB) is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states.

Headquarters	Shanghai, China
Membership	Brazil  Russia  India  China  South Africa
Official language	English

• BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework for providing protection against global liquidity pressures.
• Bangladesh has been formally invited to join the organization in 2020.
• BRICS countries signed a letter of intent to cooperate in the Information and Communication Technology sector.

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