MCTI debates megascience projects and cooperation in science and technology within the BRICS

This is a machine translation of MCTI's press release

Starting this Tuesday (23), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI) will debate scientific cooperation in megascience projects within the BRICS, which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This is the fourth working group meeting on Research Infrastructures and Megascience Projects .

The working group focuses on promoting cooperation that enables the use of large-scale infrastructure, encouraging initiatives that make effective contributions to the implementation of megascience projects, and creating facilities to find cutting-edge scientific solutions in applied and basic research activities.

Until Wednesday (24), representatives of the ministries of science and technology of the five countries will discuss forms of cooperation, including a strategic plan for the area. In addition, mechanisms are on the agenda to improve the platform built together in 2018 ( BRICS GRAIN -Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network ) for the purpose of sharing infrastructure in long-term cooperation projects, from 2023 to 2027. Currently, 20 infrastructures are registered, five of which are Brazilian.

In his speech, the secretary of Research and Scientific Training of the MCTI highlighted that science plays a fundamental role in strengthening international cooperation, especially to face contemporary global challenges, which do not recognize geopolitical boundaries and do not encourage isolated solutions. Building solutions involves sharing research facilities and co-funding. The secretary also highlighted that Brazil has relevant international partnerships in the area of science and technology and the partnership within the BRICS adds relevant elements and opportunities.

In the session reserved for countries to inform the update on policies on research infrastructure, the MCTI secretary highlighted the recent investments made by the ministerial portfolio for training and training of human resources, modernization of laboratory infrastructure at universities and research centers, which are responsible for the main scientific indicators. The secretary also highlighted that Brazil has incorporated the 2030 Agenda into Brazilian science and technology policies, which includes the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Among the investments in infrastructure made by the ministry, the secretary recalled the resources in the order of R$150 million invested in the recovery, maintenance and acquisition of equipment and R$34 million to expand the Brazilian network of biosafety laboratories. Furthermore, he informed that the country had approved the construction of a level 4 biosafety laboratory. The secretary reported that the MCTI created the National Research Infrastructure Platform (PNIPE) . The national digital database of research infrastructure allows identifying and verifying the availability of use of Brazilian equipment and laboratories.

This year, the secretary stated that the MCTI is investing R$1.2 million to support research in the Amazon Satellite Laboratory System (SALAS), R$8 million for the ATTO Tower, also in the Amazon, and R$8.5 million for the construction of the Cryosphere 2 module, which will be installed on the Antarctic continent.