The 1st meeting of the Steering Committee of the BRICS Techtransfer was successfully held online from April 26 to 27. The meeting was hosted by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). Official representatives from the competent departments of science, technology and innovation of the BRICS countries, as well as technology transfer experts and representatives of industry institutions participated in the meeting. Chinese participating departments and institutions included the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Kunming Science and Technology Bureau and International Technology Transfer Network (ITTN).
The meeting aimed at continuing the BRICS Centers for Technology Transfer Cooperation (“BRICS Techtransfer”) jointly promoted by BRICS countries in recent years. In 2021, the 9th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting reviewed and adopted the Enabling Framework for BRICS Centers for Technology Transfer Cooperation proposed by Brazil. Based on the work of the initiative of BRICS Technology Transfer Center proposed by China in 2018, the Enabling Framework further proposes to promote BRICS Techtransfer implementation plans such as improving intellectual property protection, promoting technology transfer exchanges and cooperation, carrying out capacity building, and advancing data interconnection. In accordance with the BRICS Innovation Cooperation Action Plan 2021-24, all parties will support and encourage BRICS countries to participate in the construction of the BRICS Techtransfer.
The initiative of BRICS Technology Transfer Center was proposed by China and had been written into the Durban Declaration, the outcome document of the 2018 BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting. On September 10, 2018, the 2nd meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Science, Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Partnership (BRICS WG-STIEP) was held in Kunming. The Chinese node of BRICS Technology Transfer was inaugurated in Kunming. It was guided by the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and co-constructed by the Kunming Science and Technology Bureau and International Technology Transfer Network (ITTN).
Recommended by the competent departments of science, technology and innovation of the BRICS countries, the technical transfer institutions participating in the meeting included: National Forum of Innovation and Technology Transfer Managers (FORTEC) and National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) from Brazil; National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Skolkovo Foundation, RUDN University and ICISTE from Russia; JSS Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) and Venture Center from India; Kunming Science and Technology Bureau and International Technology Transfer Network (ITTN) from China; as well as institutions and universities such as University of Cape Town led by Intellectual Property Specialist, National Intellectual Property Management Office from South Africa.
The meeting focused on reviewing the five draft proposals of implementation plan in the BRICS Techtransfer Proposed Implementation Plan 2022-24 (draft), including fostering the intellectual property protection, expanding opportunities for technology transfer, capacity building: education and training, and technology transfer metrics. The 1st meeting of the Steering Committee of the BRICS Techtransfer marked the establishment of the BRICS Techtransfer. The BRICS countries will rely on the consensus and the implementation plan to promote the technology transfer cooperation, so as to make the orderly flow of innovation achievements among BRICS countries. (Ministry of Science and Technology of People's Republic of China)