The BRICS Academies of Sciences Beijing Declaration on Big Data for Sustainable Development was signed on June 16 by the following organizations: the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Academy of Science of South Africa, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy.

The declaration points out that science, technology and innovation (STI) are vital driving forces to tackle global challenges and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The BRICS Academies of Sciences recognize the contribution of big data to the evidence-based policy-making towards sustainable development, and further emphasize the importance of strengthening STI collaboration and data sharing.

The BRICS Academies pledge to strengthen a comprehensive partnership on STI cooperation, especially on big data for sustainable development through various collaborative forms, and give priorities to the fields of agriculture, food security and poverty alleviation, digital economy, sustainable urban and rural development, biodiversity conservation, climate actions and disaster reduction.

Held in Beijing on April 26 and 27, the BRICS Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development provided a platform for the BRICS countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in sustainable development. As the important outcome of the forum, the declaration will promote extensive collaboration among the science communities in BRICS countries.

Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences