On 23 September, the BRICS Ocean and Polar Science and Technology Working Group held its third meeting via videoconference.
The event was attended by delegates from the relevant BRICSministries and research institutions involved in ocean and polar studies. The Russian delegation included the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology and the Marine Hydrophysical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The participants discussed the latest achievements of the BRICS countries in the field of ocean and polar research, national strategies and promising joint projects. The focus was on plastic and microplastic pollution of the seas and oceans, as well as changes in the world’s oceans and global climate.
The delegations discussed the joint use of research vessels for studies and expeditions and amendments to their agreements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, they discussed plans to send an expedition to the Amazon River plume in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean to study the influence of the world’s largest drainage basin on the balance of biogenic emissions and pollutants in the ocean and its physical and chemical systems. The participants reaffirmed their intention to organise special subject courses and summer schools for young scientists from the BRICS countries.
They also discussed the possibility of cooperation within the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) aimed at mobilizing scientific community, responsible politicians, businesses and civil society to implement a programme of joint studies and technical innovations.
In conclusion of the 3rd Meeting of BRICS Ocean and Polar Science and Technology Working Group, the participants adopted a protocol to be posted in due course on the group’s official website.