BRICS calls for protection of cultural heritage

RICS leaders have called for protection of cultural heritage, including in regions affected by conflict, and laid emphasis on repatriation of antiquities and objects of spiritual, ancestral, historical and cultural value to their country of origin.

In the New Delhi Declaration adopted on day one of the two-day BRICS Summit being hosted by India, the grouping also welcomed adoption of the Bhopal Declaration at the 11th BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting, reaffirming the important role of culture in fostering people-to-people cooperation and strengthening ties among member countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the declaration at the end of the opening day's deliberations in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top leaders of the bloc.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with Indonesia joining in 2025.

Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam became BRICS partner countries last year.

"We call for the protection of cultural heritage, including in regions affected by conflict, to prevent the destruction and illicit trafficking of cultural property, which is vital for preserving the history and identity of affected communities, as well as on the need to ensure the restitution and repatriation of cultural heritage, antiquities and objects of spiritual, ancestral, historical and cultural value to their country of origin," read the declaration.

The leaders also encouraged cooperation among BRICS countries through exchange of information, documentation and institutional cooperation among museums, archives, libraries and other relevant cultural institutions.

"We encourage the exchange of information and sharing of best practices in the cultural and creative industries, including in the areas of training and capacity-building for artists and cultural practitioners," it added.

The leaders took note of the initiative to create and develop an "Artist Registry on a pilot basis" for voluntarily participating members.

In this regard, they acknowledged initiatives, such as Platform on Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy, identification and documentation of Traditional Knowledge Systems and Traditional Cultural Expressions.

"We encourage exploring opportunities for joint multinational nominations under relevant UNESCO Conventions and Programmes on a voluntary basis. We encourage further cooperation between BRICS countries, including within relevant multilateral fora for the development of cultural industries and resources," the declaration said.

"We appreciate the organisation of the BRICS Theatre Festival and the BRICS Film Festival as important platforms for showcasing the cultural diversity of our nations, promoting the circulation of cultural and creative works, and strengthening people-to-people ties," it said.