Second BRICS Culture Working Group meeting begins in Varanasi

📌 Summary:

• The Second BRICS Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting began in Varanasi, chaired by Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, with delegates from Brazil, China, Indonesia, Iran, South Africa and the UAE in person and Ethiopia, Egypt and Russia virtually
• Panel 1 - "Creative Economy and People-to-People Cooperation" - focused on the creative economy's role in inclusive development, social cohesion, cultural exchange, market access and digital innovation
• Panel 2 - "Copyright and Ethical AI in the Creative Economy" - covered copyright protection, cultural attribution and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in the creative sector
• A cultural programme showcased India's classical and folk traditions; the meeting continues on 5 June 2026

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 IR - BRICS as a plurilateral grouping, cultural diplomacy/soft power, creative economy and AI-ethics cooperation.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Venue: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh; chaired by Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal
• In-person members: Brazil, China, Indonesia, Iran, South Africa, UAE; virtual: Ethiopia, Egypt, Russia (reflecting expanded BRICS)
• Panel themes: Creative Economy & People-to-People Cooperation; Copyright and Ethical AI

🔑 Key Term: BRICS - an intergovernmental grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, now expanded) for economic and strategic cooperation among major emerging economies.