India has officially commenced the Third BRICS Culture Working Group (CWG) Meeting in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, under its BRICS Presidency 2026. The two-day meeting brings together representatives from BRICS member countries to strengthen cultural cooperation and prepare recommendations for the upcoming BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting.
The event forms part of India’s broader BRICS cultural calendar and will be followed by the BRICS Cultural Festival and the BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting, also being hosted in Bhopal this week.
Key Themes of the Meeting
Delegates are deliberating on three major priority areas identified under India’s BRICS Presidency:
- Creative Economy, Cultural and Creative Industries, Copyright and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Protection of Cultural Heritage and Return of Cultural Property
- Culture, Climate Change and Sustainable Development
These themes aim to promote stronger collaboration among BRICS nations while addressing emerging challenges in preserving cultural heritage and supporting creative industries in the digital era.
Bhopal Hosts Major BRICS Cultural Events
The meeting marks the beginning of a four-day cultural programme in Bhopal. Following the Working Group discussions:
- 6–7 August: BRICS Cultural Festival showcasing performances from member nations.
- 7–8 August: BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting, where ministers are expected to consider the Working Group’s recommendations and adopt a joint communiqué.
Showcasing India’s Cultural Heritage
Alongside the official meetings, Bhopal is showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity through exhibitions, tribal art displays, folk music, and traditional dance performances. The cultural outreach programme is designed to promote India’s heritage while encouraging exchanges among BRICS countries.
India’s Priorities Under BRICS 2026
As Chair of BRICS in 2026, India has adopted the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Through the culture track, India is seeking to strengthen cooperation in heritage conservation, museum collaboration, digital culture, creative industries, and capacity building among member countries.
Importance of the Meeting
The BRICS Culture Working Group serves as the principal platform for coordinating cultural cooperation among member states. The recommendations finalized in Bhopal will help shape discussions at the Culture Ministers’ Meeting and guide future collaboration in areas such as cultural exchanges, heritage protection, copyright, museums, archives, and sustainable cultural development.
