Priorities and possible risks of the BRICS countries’ cooperation in science, technology and innovation

Abstract

The viewpoint of most countries towards participation in programs and projects of international science and technology cooperation (ISTC) is based on the fact that collaboration in research and development allows them to increase the efficiency of national research systems and accelerate the inflow of new knowledge and technologies. The BRICS countries share this viewpoint; however, their aspirations go further, extending their concerns and expectations to cooperation in the sphere of innovation. BRICS – the association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – was established in June 2006 at the St. Petersburg economic forum (South Africa a participant since 2011). Its results in establishing frameworks for cooperation in many sectors of their economies including science, technology and innovation demonstrate an unusually rapid growth. The BRICS countries’ cooperation in science, technology and innovation started in 2014; since then, the five countries have carried out important steps in bringing together their practical approaches to science, technology and innovation cooperation. This article is devoted to an analysis of the dynamics of the BRICS countries’ cooperation in science, technology and innovation, and the possible risks and problems in the organization and implementation of joint projects. The need to go further in elaborating legal frameworks for international science, technology and innovation cooperation that would support the transition of their cooperation activities from science and technology to innovation is underlined.