Overview

• BRICS Culture Ministers signed a joint declaration to deepen cultural cooperation through institutional collaboration and joint projects across member states.
• Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called for civilisational leadership by establishing a shared cultural ecosystem that honours diversity and shared values.
• Shekhawat highlighted illicit online trade in cultural property and welcomed Brazil's push for artifact restitution to strengthen multilateral trust.
• India spotlighted the reclamation of 642 heritage objects since 2014 as evidence of its dedication to justice and heritage conservation.
• The declaration endorses ethical AI, digital safeguards and people-to-people exchanges to foster sustainable development and inclusive growth.