The BRICS Culture Ministers’ meet on Saturday (August 8, 2026) adopted the ‘Bhopal Declaration’ aimed at strengthening the institutional framework for cultural cooperation among the member and partner nations, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said.

Addressing media persons in Bhopal, Mr. Shekhawat said that the declaration also provides for enhanced cooperation on provenance research and the return and restitution of cultural property, including exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tracing tools.

“A key outcome was the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration. Its main aim is to strengthen the institutional framework for BRICS cultural cooperation and provide a shared roadmap covering a wide range of contemporary and traditional areas of culture and heritage,” Mr. Shekhawat said, after the meeting under India’s presidency.

“A major area of focus of the declaration is cooperation in cultural and creative industries and creative economy which encompasses exchange of methodologies, experiences and best practices, how we can learn from one another, how we can help the creators and artists in, networking and expanding opportunities for them to access markets through digital tools,” he added.

Mr. Shekhawat also said that the declaration also talks about transparency, and fair and equitable remuneration regarding the use of copyright-protected works in AI systems.

The Union Minister also said that the declaration also included provisions to enhance cooperation on UNESCO’s multinational nomination processes, aimed at strengthening a collaborative approach toward the recognition and preservation of shared and interconnected cultural heritage.

“A nation has the chance to nominate one heritage site once in a year but if multiple nations nominate a monument for inscription, whether unilateral, bilateral or multilateral, then there is limit on number,” he said.

The ministerial meeting was held after three meetings of the Culture Working Group.

“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 [Saturday] witnessed participation from 14 countries, including India, comprising 10 BRICS member countries and four partner countries,” a statement from the Union Ministry of Culture said.

The Ministry said that the declaration also focuses on 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.

“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,” it added.

Earlier on August 6 and 7, a two-day BRICS culture festival was also held in Bhopal.

Published - August 09, 2026 05:42 am IST