Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat led the Indian delegation to the 10th BRICS Ministers of Culture Meeting held on May 26, 2025, in Brasília, Brazil.
The gathering focused on deepening cultural collaboration among BRICS countries under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a declaration outlining key areas of commitment, including the cultural and creative economy, artificial intelligence, climate change, the return of cultural property, and heritage preservation. According to the statement, the implementation of initiatives discussed under the BRICS platform will be “nation-specific and not region-specific”.
The ministers emphasised the growing influence of cultural and creative industries in global economies and agreed to establish a BRICS platform dedicated to these sectors. They also encouraged collaboration with cultural institutions and financial bodies, including the New Development Bank, to support cultural infrastructure and exchanges. The declaration stated the need for “a sustainable cultural ecosystem in the digital environment that effectively supports and fairly remunerates creators”.
On the topic of artificial intelligence, the ministers called for development that is “ethical, safe, reliable, inclusive, trustworthy, and equitable”, while also promoting multilingualism and protecting cultural diversity.
In addressing climate change, the declaration reaffirmed the importance of culture in sustainable development and called for its inclusion as a standalone goal in the post-2030 Development Agenda. The ministers also supported safeguarding heritage against climate threats and encouraged knowledge sharing and climate-resilient strategies informed by traditional and Indigenous knowledge.
The return of cultural property was another key issue. The declaration highlighted it as a means of promoting justice and reconciliation. “We recognise the need for a more robust international framework on the matter,” it read, while also welcoming Brazil’s initiative to host a meeting of BRICS experts on cultural property restitution.
The ministers endorsed Brazil’s upcoming hosting of the BRICS Film Festival and encouraged the creation of a shared cultural calendar. They also urged all member countries to join existing cultural alliances focused on museums, libraries, folk art, and children’s theatre.
The declaration underscored a collective commitment to strengthening multilateral cultural ties, supporting artistic freedom, and preserving cultural heritage across the Global South.
For more information, contact:
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
(pibculture@gmail.com)
