Context
- The 8th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Ocean and Polar Science and Technology (OPST) was held in Goa from 12–14 August 2026 during India’s BRICS Presidency.
- The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
About the BRICS-OPST Working Group
- OPST stands for Ocean and Polar Science and Technology.
- It is a specialised working group under the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Cooperation Framework of BRICS.
- In India, its activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- The Working Group promotes:
- Scientific cooperation in ocean and polar research
- Exchange of knowledge and scientific expertise
- Collaborative research projects
- Capacity building and training of researchers
- Sharing of research infrastructure
8th BRICS-OPST Meeting Highlights
The meeting focused on strengthening BRICS cooperation in ocean and polar sciences, with emphasis on:
- Coastal Resilience: Protecting coastal zones and enhancing the resilience of coastal cities.
- Ocean Observation: Strengthening the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and improving ocean information services.
- Polar Research: Promoting joint research and greater participation in Antarctic expeditions.
- Ocean Biodiversity: Exploring a joint polar ocean biodiversity study.
About NCPOR
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
- Location: Goa
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
- It is India’s premier institution for research related to:
- Polar regions
- Oceans
- Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
- Arctic studies
- Himalayan cryosphere
Conclusion
The meeting reflects the growing importance of scientific cooperation among BRICS nations to address common challenges related to oceans, coastal ecosystems and polar regions through collaborative research, knowledge-sharing and capacity building.
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