What happened in Pune (Digital BRICS Forum and Expo)

India hosted the 12th BRICS Communications ministers meeting in Pune, with ministerial delegations from BRICS member countries arriving to participate. During the same day, the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo was held at Pune, bringing together government, industry, academia, startups, and research institutions from across BRICS member countries.

The Digital BRICS Forum and Expo is described as a multi-stakeholder platform of the BRICS ICT Track, and it was institutionalised at the 7th BRICS Communications ministers meeting hosted by India in 2021.

India also hosted a cultural programme and dinner for the visiting delegations. Union Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia welcomed the delegations and highlighted work under the BRICS ICT Working Group and related entities on building digital ecosystems that are inclusive, secure, and resilient.

Two thematic panel discussions were conducted:

Cybersecurity and Trustworthy ICTs, including Child Online Protection, focusing on safeguards for privacy, public interest, and protection of vulnerable users.Sustainable and Resilient Digital and ICT Ecosystems, focusing on universal, meaningful and affordable connectivity, energy-efficient and climate-resilient infrastructure, and emerging approaches such as satellite and non-terrestrial systems.

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