Foundation, challenges and approaches to deepen BRICS science, technology and innovation cooperation in context of BRICS enlargement

Deepening international science and technology innovation (STI) cooperation among BRICS countries is of great significance for empowering Global South and building a global S&T community. This study takes the ten BRICS countries in the expanded membership as the research object, deeply analyzes on deepening international STI cooperation among BRICS countries, and puts forward approaches and suggestions. Research indicates that BRICS countries have established a long-term, stable, and mature mechanism of international STI cooperation that provides an institutional guarantee for deepening international STI cooperation among BRICS countries. The rising impact of STI competence, the expanded scale of STI network, and increasingly close ties of high-tech industrial cooperation among BRICS members laid a solid foundation. Nevertheless, the international STI cooperation among BRICS countries are confronted with series of challenges including high reliance on external technology, constraints from Western countries, the lack of strategic mutual trusts, and competition among members as well. The study proposes to strengthen the top-level design of BRICS cooperation in STI, synergy with Belt and Road Initiative, deepen S&T talent exchanges, and take the initiative to participate in global STI governance to propose BRICS programs.